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1. A. IJOKMAN 



SORGHUMS 

SURE MONEY CROPS 



By 

T. A. B OR MAN 
Editor KANSAS FARMER 



Topeka, Kansas 

The Kansas Farmer Company 

1914 






DEDICATION 

TO THOSE farmers of the sorghum belt whose 
efforts at growing wheat and corn have 
failed to bring them the prosperity and 
permanency they expected and deserved ; to those 
farmers of the sorghum belt who, with sorghums 
and live stock, have demonstrated the possibili- 
ties for profitable farming and the building of 
permanent homesteads; and to my father, one 
of Kansas' first and most persistent growers 
of kafir and cane, this book is dedicated. 



Copyn'glited 

1914 

By The Kansas Farmer Co. 

Topeka 

All rights reserved 

©Ci,A8764J0 



PREFACE 

THIS book is designed to induce a greater ap- 
preciation of the grain sorghums to the end 
that a greater dependence may be placed 
thereupon for grain and forage. For the sorghum 
belt farmer it is intended to reveal (1) why he 
should grow more sorghums, (2) how to maintain 
and develop their usefulness, and (3) how to make 
the most money from them. 

I have endeavored to make the book interesting 
to the farm reader, and so have set aside much 
data of a statistical and scientific character to 
admit material better understood and obtained in 
the field and from letters of hundreds of farm 
correspondents. Also, while putting the material 
together I endeavored to forget that it was to be 
made into a book and so, if possible, escape the 
severe formality which, in so many agricultural 
books, prevents the reader from meeting the 
writer on common ground. 

I am indebted to scores of farmers, feeders and 
investigators, from whom I obtained data, figures, 
photographs, etc., and also from whom I received 
the encouragement which was the compelling in- 
centive to complete the work. 

I confidently believe that a careful reading of 
what is herein printed and an observance of the 
recommendations presented, will aid in the de- 
velopment of a more prosperous agriculture 
throughout the sorghum belt. 

Topeka, Kansas. dA<r^rHyi^^ 



C ONTENTS 

The Land of Grain Sorghums 1-16 

Development of Sorghum Belt 17-46 

Grain Sorghums in General 47-64 

Grain Sorghum Yields and Values 65-114 

Sorghum Areas Defined 115-150 

Grain Sorghum Farming 151-224 

Better Grain Sorghum Crops 225-273 

Feeding Grain Sorghums 274-304 



THE LAND OF GRAIN SORGHUMS 

The grain sorghum belt is so named because it is an 
area to which the sorghums have proven themselves bet- 
ter adapted to the farmers' need for grain and forage 
than any other crops now known and so are more gen- 
erally grown than in any other section of the United 
States. It is an area in which a profitable and perma- 
nent type of general farming has not yet become fixed. 
This is so because the conditions of soil and climate are 
so different from those with which its settlers were 
formerly familiar that they have not yet adjusted them- 
selves to a system of farming which insures a permanent 
prosperity. No locality or country can be a fit place for 
general farming unless its lands will provide through 
intelligent cultivation, average good management and 
reasonable frugality, comfortable homes and a contented 
people. It is my belief that the dependence upon the 
early maturing and dry weather resisting grain sor- 
ghums, with live stock to consume the grains and 
roughages of these, will for the sorghum belt farmer 
build permanently prosperous homesteads. 

The Need for Adapted Crops. The greater propor- 
tion of the early settlers of the sorghum belt came from 
Indiana, Illinois and Ohio, and even farther East. They 
planted the seed of those crops they grew at home — 
wheat and corn. These crops on the new farms were 
not dependable. With them there were too many *'off" 
years. The short crop years came when the granaries 
were already near empty. There was no reserve upon 
which to draw. In my judgment, farming is poorly done 
in any locality or country when a single ''off" year 
seriously affects the stability of the farmer. To guard 
against the usual seriously depressing results of the un- 



2 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

avoidable ''off" year, should be the first effort of every 
farmer. 

However, the watchful eye of the Federal Department 
of Agriculture was on the sorghum belt farmer. The 
department knew of the failure of wheat and corn as 
crops to be depended upon, and sought to locate adapted 
varieties of these and other crops. The importation of 
seed of winter wheat from the steppes of Russia, im- 
proved the outlook for success through wheat. Later 
the department introduced the grain sorghums from the 
dry, hot regions of Africa, and so well have these de- 
ported themselves that they have in twenty years given 
the grain sorghum belt its name as well as its hope. 

Providence has provided a useful crop for every region 
— usually the place does not find the adapted crop until 
after a considerable time, but sooner or later the two will 
come together. Man sometimes thinks he knows better 
than the Maker of things — eventually he will discover 
his mistake. The farmer who attempts to grow crops 
to which his soil and climate are not adapted, will fail. 
For this reason adapted crops only will prevail in the 
sorghum belt. 

Will Again Grow and Fatten Live Stock. Not SO 
many years ago the sorghum belt was an important live 
stock country — it was the cattle country of twenty-five 
years ago. In those days countless thousands of cattle 
roamed its prairies and grew fat upon its grasses. Later 
it was fenced into ranches. Since has come the settler — 
the farmer who sought his livelihood and hoped for plenty 
as a quarter or half section farmer. The meat eater of 
the consuming center has, since the advent of the settler, 
been much abusing him for cutting off the source of his 
cheap meat. Many settlers having failed at farming, 
have cursed the country and moved back East. But, as 
the years passed, a better understanding of those uses 
to which the prairies could be put, dawned upon a farmer 
here and there, and he built a permanent home and bank 
account. 



THE LAND OF GRAIN SORGHUMS 3 

I have met hundreds of sorghum belt farmers — these 
not so widely scattered as might seem — who have said, 
"This country has treated me well and I have no com- 
plaint." In most such instances the realization of this 
satisfaction and the inspiration of this contentment was 
live stock — usually cattle — and if the sorghum belt ever 
becomes a home for the two million or more quarter sec- 
tion farmers it can accommodate, it will be through the 
grain sorghums and live stock. God made the sorghum 
belt a cattle country when he placed the buffalo thereon. 
This should have been sufficient suggestion to the settler 
that it was the habitat of cattle. Also that whatever he 
did, through live stock as a basis, must come the hope 
for his permanency. But, this section will again be a 
cattle country — through the use of the sorghums and 
the silo. 

The Sorghum Belt Boundaries. The grain sorghum 
belt, as set down in the literature of the day, is a portion 
of that wide stretch of high, dry, rolling prairies extend- 
ing south from the Canadian line to the border of Mexico 
and from the 98th meridian of longitude on the east, to 
the Rocky Mountains on the west. The south half of 
this region is the grain sorghum belt, being approximate- 
ly four hundred miles wide and a thousand miles long. 
Mention of the 98th meridian suggests only a vague idea 
of an imaginary line somewhere, and that its location 
is of little importance. I will often refer to it and the 
reader should remember that it passes through or near 
Beloit, Hutchinson, and Anthony, in Kansas; Enid, El 
Reno and Chickasha, in Oklahoma; and Austin, Fort 
Worth and Corpus Christi, in Texas. West of these 
points and extending to the Rocky Mountains and south 
of the Kansas-Nebraska line to the border of Mexico, 
is the sorghum belt. This, then, includes the western 
half of Kansas, the western third of Oklahoma, the 
western half of Texas, and all that part of New Mexico 
and Colorado east of the Rocky Mountains. 

Grain Sorghums Essential East of Meridian 98. It 



4 sorghums: sure money crops 

is not to be understood that the eastern boundary of the 
grain sorghum belt is arbitrary. Indeed, the 98th 
meridian is not the eastern limit of the area to which 
grain sorghums are adapted or should be used in the 
scheme of the most profitable and permanent general 
farming. In Kansas, almost one-half of the state's total 
kafir crop is grown east of the 98th meridian, and ex- 
tending to the 95th meridian. In actual Kansas farm 
practice the usefulness of sorghum crops extends from 
the boundary line on the west across the state to the 
eastern tier of counties. In reality, the sorghum belt 
extends 160 miles east of the line set down as its limit 
and in which belt the humid section of the east gradual- 
ly loses itself in the semi-arid section farther west. 

The cultivated uplands of this 160-mile strip across 
Kansas are recognized by good farmers as being better 
adapted to kafir and milo than to corn, as ''sure feed 
crops." In other words, Kansas farmers have marked 
only the most fertile lowlands — river and creek bottoms 
— as those best adapted to corn, while the thin, high and 
rolling lands are recognized as sorghum lands. It is my 
conviction that uplands east of the 98th meridian and 
west of the 95th, in Kansas, should be planted to grain 
sorghums. On such lands either kafir or milo in a ten- 
year period will not only outyield corn but will convert 
the uncertainty of a corn crop into an almost assured 
grain sorghum crop. The grain sorghums increase their 
acre yield of grain and forage tonnage in the proportion 
that the rainfall is greater and the soil more fertile. 
Kafir planted on the best of lands, under the most favor- 
able conditions, is in bushel yield and acre tonnage a 
near competitor of corn in the best years, and in the 
**off" year excels corn. From this standpoint, therefore, 
in so far as Kansas is concerned, the sorghum belt may 
properly be said to include the entire state. 

That section of Oklahoma and Texas lying between 
the 95th and 98th meridians has conditions of soil, 
climate and rainfall similar to those existing between 



THE LAND OF GRAIN SORGHUMS 5 

those meridians in Kansas, and in this section for each 
of the two states, grain sorghums can displace corn on 
the uplands with great advantage. While the areas best 
adapted to the various grain sorghums are discussed in 
detail later, it will add to the understanding at this po:nt 
to say that the kaf irs will accomplish most for the grower 
in sections having 25 or more inches of rainfall, and the 
milos where the rainfall is less than 25 inches. On the 
uplands of Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, between the 
98th and 95th meridians, the kafir and milo acreage can 
at once be profitably increased in the proportion that 
the grain and roughage can be fed on the farm and later 
to the extent that the cash market therefor may be devel- 
oped. It is certain that the grains of the sorghums will 
rapidly become a commodity of commerce and that soon 
they will be as readily sold in the markets of the country 
as is corn. When the maximum feed supply is required 
and the greatest certainty of such supply is desired, the 
grain sorghums are superior to corn in a belt at least 160 
miles wide across Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, and at 
least that far east of the generally considered sorghum 
belt limit. 

Rainfall, Climate and Soil. The average annual rain- 
fall in the sorghum belt west of the 98th meridian varies 
from 15 to 25 inches, the eastern side receiving the heav- 
ier rainfall and the moisture decreasing westward. 
Three-fourths of this falls during April to September 
inclusive, this being the growing season. The rains gen- 
erally are torrential — that is, falling rapidly and so 
largely running off, unless the soil is so handled as to 
reduce the escaping water to a minimum. The area is 
subjected to protracted high winds and fairly high sum- 
mer temperatures, resulting in rapid and continuous 
evaporation during the growing season. With the lim- 
ited rainfall exists an unusual combination of moisture- 
dissipating forces, and to offset this requires methods of 
soil handling the purposes of which are to store as well 
as to conserve moisture. 



THE LAND OF GRAIN SORGHUMS 7 

The altitude ranges from 6,500 feet in Elbert and El 
Paso counties, Colorado, to 1,500 feet at the 98th merid- 
ian on the east. From the point of greatest altitude there 
is a gentle slope west to the foot of the mountains, reach- 
ing 4,000 to 5,000 feet at their base, and also from the 
point of highest altitude the area slopes gently to the 
north and south, reaching an elevation varying from 
1,500 to 2,000 feet on the southern boundary. Through- 
out the sorghum belt the nights are generally cool. In 
the northwestern portion the growing season is compar- 
atively short, killing frosts occurring late in the spring 
and early in the fall. 

The character of sorghum belt soils varies greatly, but 
practically every soil has been proven as adapted to sor- 
ghum growing. The sorghums yield well on the red 
clays of Central and Western Oklahoma, on the dark clays 
of the Texas Panhandle, and on the very sandy soils of 
Northwest Oklahoma and Southwest Kansas. However, 
the dark, sandy loams which are the prevailing soils of 
the sorghum belt, give the best cropping results. Sor- 
ghum belt soils, generally, have a deep, uniform subsoil 
which permits the storage of water, and this is a pre- 
vailing condition highly encouraging for the success of 
the crop-growing settler. 

"All in all," says Widstoe, ''the composition of arid 
soils is much more favorable to plant growth than that 
of humid soils." Just why this is so, is a story too long 
to here relate. In the soils of the arid sections has been 
placed a large amount of fertility, which, with a small 
amount of water, can be utilized by the plant to the 
greatest possible advantage. The sorghum belt farmer 
must accept these soils as they now are, determined to 
make the best of them, and feeling that Providence has 
endowed them with superior qualities which in a measure 
offset light rainfall. To be sure, the sorghum belt farmer 
can improve the physical condition of soils by proper 
handling and can likewise increase the moisture-holding 
capacity and crop-producing ability. In every instance 



8 sorghums: sure money crops 

Providence has left a few things to be done by man, but 
he who most intelligently takes advantage of Nature's 
offerings will succeed in the greatest measure. 

Is Rainfall Sufficient to Produce Crops? It is the 

deficiency of moisture which, in fact, characterizes the 
sorghum belt from the corn belt. The sorghum belt 
farmer may properly inquire whether or not the rainfall 
he may reasonably expect as indicated by the records of 
the annual precipitation for his locality, will produce 
profitable grain and dependable feed crops. He has ob- 
served that the amount of water required varies with 
the different plants, also that some plants are capable 
of obtaining from the soil more water and so make 
greater and more certain growth than other plants. He 
has observed, too, that not all the water falling on the 
land is absorbed, also that no method of handling soils 
has yet been devised by which it is possible to conserve 
for the use of the growing plant all the water taken up 
by the soil. 

In short, the sorghum belt farmer must have long 
since realized that his method of using precipitation is 
tremendously wasteful. He is interested, then, in know- 
ing whether or not he can pursue such methods of soil 
handling as will enable him to convert a greater part of 
the rainfall to his use. That he may use more of the 
precipitation is not a matter of further doubt. What he 
may expect through the use of practical methods of con- 
servation is recorded by Widstoe, president of the Utah 
Agricultural College, in his book, ''Dry-Farming." He 
says: ''Experience has already demonstrated that 
wherever the annual precipitation is above 15 inches, 
there is no need of crop failures, if the soils are suitable 
and the methods of dry-farming are correctly employed. 
With an annual precipitation of 10 to 15 inches, there 
need be very few failures if proper cultural precautions 
are taken." Widstoe is a foremost investigator of dry- 
farming possibilities, and his quoted statement holds 
much hope for sorghum belt farmers. It is certain that 



THE LAND OF GRAIN SORGHUMS 9 

dry-farming has in actual farm practice accomplished 
sufficient to prove its principles as sound; however, the 
reader must understand that it is not a panacea for all 
the difficulties attendant upon a region of light rainfall. 
Cannot Escape Dry-Farming Methods.' It is not 
my purpose to here discuss the subject of "dry-farming." 
However, it is an important topic for the consideration 
of every sorghum belt farmer. Kansans and Oklahomans 
in particular dislike the term, ''dry-farming" ; they feel 
that to apply it to the farming of their neighborhoods or 
states reflects discredit thereupon. While the term is a 
misnomer, nevertheless it is the best we have to express 
a particular type of soil cultural methods adapted to sec- 
tions having an annual rainfall of 20 inches or less. To 
sections having 30 inches of annual rainfall, but affected 
by winds and high temperatures, dry-farming also ap- 
plies. Considerable portions of Kansas, Oklahoma and 
Texas are within these limits, and the farmers of these 
sections cannot escape dry-farming methods. The East- 
ern Colorado, Eastern New Mexico and extreme Western 
Texas farmer has accepted dry-farming more generally 
than farmers farther east. Generally speaking, it is my 
opinion that the Eastern Colorado farmer is more per- 
manent than the Western Kansas farmer, because he 
follows dry-farming methods to a greater extent. It 
should be remembered that dry-farming is a topic of 
world-wide concern and farmers of the Great Plains are 
not alone in the evolution of farming methods adapted 
to light rainfall. Dry-farming is a ''world problem," as 
will be realized when it is understood that six-tenths of 
the world's surface has an annual rainfall of 20 inches 
or less. Many times herein will reference be made to 
dry-farming practices, but in such way as will enable the 
reader to distinguish them from common farm cultural 
methods. Suffice it now to say that the sorghum belt 
farmer must give heed to dry-farming ideas and by exer- 
cising care in their execution can greatly increase both 



10 



sorghums: sure money crops 



surety and profitableness of those crops best adapted to 
his conditions. 

Farmer Held Responsible for Drouths. "Drouth 
may be defined as a condition under which crops fail to 
mature because of an insufficient supply of water," says 
Widstoe. ''Providence has generally been charged with 
causing drouths, but under the above definition man is 




Upland Milo Field, 1911, at Dodge City Branch Experiment Station. 
Observe Native Vegetation in Foreground. 

usually the cause. Occasionally, relatively dry years 
occur, but they are seldom dry enough to cause crop fail- 
ures if proper methods of farming have been practiced. 
There are four chief causes of drouth: (1) Improper or 
careless preparation of the soil; (2) failure to store the 
natural precipitation in the soil; (3) failure to apply 
proper cultural methods for keeping the moisture in the 
soil until needed by plants, and (4) sowing too much seed 
for the available moisture." Widstoe says further: **A 
fairly accurate knowledge of the climatic conditions of 
the district, a good understanding of the principles of 
agriculture without irrigation under a low rainfall, and 



THE LAND OF GRAIN SORGHUMS 11 

a vigorous application of these principles as adapted to 
the local climatic conditions will make dry-farm failures 
a rarity. 

*'A11 evidence at hand shows that a large portion of 
the precipitation falling upon properly prepared soil — 
whether it be in summer or winter — is stored in the soil 
until evaporation is allowed to withdraw it," says Wid- 
stoe. ''* * * It must be said, however, that the possi- 
bility of storing water in the soil — that is, making the 
water descend to relatively great soil depths away from 
the immediate and direct action of the sunshine and 
winds — is the most fundamental principle in dry- 
farming." 

Evaporation of Moisture From Soil. To prevent 

evaporation of moisture from the soil is a matter of as 
great importance as storing it. Over a large part of the 
sorghum belt the loss of moisture by evaporation is tre- 
mendous. The average evaporation from a tank during 
the months of April to September, inclusive, at Akron, 
Colorado, for the years 1908-1909, was 45 inches; Hays, 
Kansas, 1907-1909, 45.2 inches; Garden City, Kansas, 
1908-1909, 59.9 inches; Amarillo, Texas, 1907-1909, 52.4 
inches; and at Dalhart, Texas, 1908-1909, 54.6 inches. 
These are figures of comparative value only and show 
the amount of evaporation under the most favorable con- 
ditions. The evaporation from the soil under the same 
conditions is very much smaller, although governed 
largely by the character of soil. Cultivation in Califor- 
nia, as shown by Fortier, reduced evaporation from the 
soil surface 55 per cent. At the Utah Station cultivation 
saved 63 per cent on a clay soil, 34 per cent on a coarse 
sand, and 13 per cent on a clay loam. The depth of the 
cultivation resulting as above is not recorded. However, 
it seems that the deeper the surface mulch the more 
effective it is. For instance, Fortier found that in 15 
days a piece of irrigated land lost by evaporation one- 
fourth of the water used, while a 4-inch mulch saved 72 



12 



sorghums: sure money crops 



per cent of it, an 8-inch mulch 88 per cent, and a 10-inch 
mulch stopped evaporation. 

It appears that cultivation is a much more effective 
means of evaporation control than sorghum belt farmers 
generally — as evidenced by their practice — have believed. 
Those who have recognized the necessity of controlling 
evaporation have so attempted only during the crop- 




Ifli'iita \u'l(liiiy .ill JUislu'ls JUT Acre in 1913, at Base of Kocky Muun- 
taiiis, Twenty-five Miles from Colorado Springs. 

growing season. The fact is that evaporation is under 
way before the crop is planted and frequently reaches 
its maximum after harvest and at which latter time little 
attention is given to moisture conservation. Vigilance 
and thorough cultivation are the watchwords in con- 
trolling moisture evaporation. The first principle, of 
course, is that of causing the moisture to penetrate the 
soil to as great depth as possible. The next is that of 
so cultivating the surface as to prevent its passing otf. 
Extent to Which Water Can be Stored. The pos- 
sibilities for storing precipitation are shown by these 
figures : The Montana Station has established the water- 
holding capacity of soils under field conditions as about 



THE LAND OF GRAIN SORGHUMS 13 

2.5 inches per foot, and that thereby it is possible to 
store 25 inches of water in 10 feet of soil. At the Utah 
Station it was found that 95.5 per cent of the winter's 
rain and snow was stored in the first eight feet of soil 
at the beginning of the growing season. Burr has dem- 
onstrated for Western Nebraska that over 50 per cent 
of the rainfall of spring and summer can be stored in 
the soil to the depth of six feet. In this latter instance 
it is certain that some of the season's rainfall was stored 
at a greater depth and so more than half of the precip- 
itation must have been taken up by the soil during the 
period when evaporation is greatest. It would seem from 
the above that 50 to 95 per cent of the precipitation could 
be stored, provided, of course, the soil is possessed of 
such water-holding capacity as prevails generally in arid 
and semi-arid soils. It is believed that the farmers of 
the sorghum belt can store at least near double the pre- 
cipitation they generally are now storing. It is a fact, 
however, that unless there is precipitation it cannot be 
stored. But it is well established that precipitation, like 
feed, can be carried over from year to year. The storage 
of water in the soil is a continuous operation and the 
results are cumulative. Filling the soil with moisture in 
years of plenty and conserving it for the year of short 
rainfall should be a year after year practice. 

Rainfall and Crop Production. The crop-producing 
power of rainfall is interesting, and a study of which will 
reveal the extent to which rainfall is used or in fact 
wasted. It requires 45 tons of water to produce a bushel 
of wheat and the straw thereof. But comparing this 
requirement with rainfall measured in inches, it is not 
so great. Water one inch deep over an acre of land 
weighs 113 tons. If this inch of water could be wholly 
used by the plant it would produce 2.5 bushels of wheat. 
In a year of 20 inches of rainfall, then, there is water 
sufficient to produce 50 bushels of wheat per acre, pro- 
vided, of course, it could all be used by the wheat plant. 
To use all the rainfall is impossible. But, if one-half of 



THE LAND OF GRAIN SORGHUMS 15 

the rainfall can be stored — and it seems this can be done 
in good farm practice — and of that stored at least one- 
half can be used by the wheat plant, then that portion 
of Kansas having a 20-inch rainfall should produce an 
average of 12.5 bushels of wheat per acre instead of less 
than six bushels. It is apparent that the yield could be 
further increased as cultural methods become more ef- 
fective. There is no disputing the fact that throughout 
the sorghum belt the waste of moisture is unnecessarily 
great, and for a section so dependent upon the maximum 
use of the precipitation, the prevailing cultural methods 
seem recklessly extravagant. It is certain that the farm- 
er's ability to store water and control evaporation marks 
the difference between success and failure. 

Comparative Water Requirements of Crops. The 

relative water requirements of various crops were inves- 
tigated by the Federal Department of Agriculture at 
Akron, Colorado, Amarillo and Dalhart, Texas, during 
1910 and 1911. The average pounds of water required 
to produce a pound of dry matter in the whole plant 
were : Millet, 275 ; sorghum, 306 ; pig weed, 275 ; tumble 
weed, 277; Russian thistle, 336; corn, 369; sugar beets, 
377; rape, 441; potatoes, 448; wheat, 507; barley, 539; 
buckwheat, 578; oats, 614; sweet clover, 709; field peas, 
800; alfalfa, 1,068. 

These figures reveal the difference in the use that the 
several crops and weeds make of moisture. The figures 
do not, however, take into consideration the ability of 
the different crops to secure moisture through their 
larger or smaller root systems or to escape the disastrous 
effects of a few days of hot winds. For instance, it is 
known that sweet clover will grow hay under a rainfall 
wholly deficient for corn, yet it uses almost two times 
as much water. The difference between the two plants 
is in their ability to acquire soil moisture. It is worthy 
of attention, too, that a crop of pig weeds growing in 
wheat stubble removes as much water per pound of dry 
matter as a crop of millet. Also, that sorghum requires 



16 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

less water per pound of dry matter than the Russian 
thistle. These data help explain why corn, millet and 
sorghums have done better than some other crops in the 
regions of lighter rainfall. It is worthy of note that the 
legumes named above — field peas, sweet clover and al- 
falfa — require more water per pound of dry matter than 
the other plants, but it must be kept in mind that these 
are high in protein content and their feeding value for 
the sorghum belt farmer is correspondingly increased. 

Recommended Cultural Practices. The foregoing 
would indicate that in the sorghum belt much depends 
upon the utilization of precipitation to the fullest pos- 
sible extent and that by following well defined cultural 
methods the cropping possibilities are greatly increased. 
Also, that such cultural methods are those long since 
recognized as typifying the best farm practice in regions 
of rainfall greatly exceeding that of the sorghum belt. 
It is therefore recommended that the sorghum belt farm- 
er's attention be directed as follows: He should plow 
deep to create a large reservoir and to encourage ab- 
sorption of moisture. He should practice such cultiva- 
tion as will to the greatest extent possible prevent evap- 
oration. He should keep down the weeds, which upon 
many farms draw upon the moisture to as great extent 
as do the season's crops. He should plow into the soil 
all the manure and vegetable matter he can, that the 
water-holding capacity of the soil may be increased. He 
should follow a crop rotation. He should grow those 
crops which obtain and utilize moisture to the best ad- 
vantage. And, above all things, he should govern his 
rate of planting by the moisture supply. It must be re- 
membered, too, that there are controlling factors, aside 
from moisture, in^crop production, but which will be dis- 
cussed in connection with the growth of specific crops. 



DEVELOPMENT OF SORGHUM BELT 

The future development of the sorghum belt has been 
variously forecasted. There are those who see hope for 
greater prosperity only through return to the big pas- 
tures of the stockman. Students of sorghum belt condi- 
tions whose business it is — through state, federal and 
other agencies — to determine the best chances for the 
settler's success, believe that it will become a region of 
permanent and reasonably prosperous farm homes, but 
they hold varying opinions as to how this will be ac- 
complished. Others predict that the time will come 
when a large part of the sorghum belt area will be 
irrigated from wells or stored flood waters. The fact 
is, however, that irrigation will serve in developing the 
sorghum belt to such a limited extent that its possibilities 
are not here discussed. To me, the best evidence of what 
the future may hold for the sorghum belt farmer, is 
aff'orded by the settler who has been able to work out a 
plan by which he has become established. There are 
numerous such settlers who have demonstrated the 
future possibilities more surely than they have been 
pointed out through other sources. The methods of 
these settlers should be followed by all other settlers, for 
such leadership is safe. Their methods are subject to 
improvement and development, to be sure, but these have 
established the precedent, which, if followed, will make 
the sorghum belt what every settler hopes it will be — 
and which hope is such as only confident and strong 
hearts can hold. 

Opportunity in Sorghum Belt. There is little hope 
that the sorghum belt farmer, who is possessed of a 
feeling of discontent in his present location, could do 

17 



18 sorghums: sure money crops 

better elsewhere. Success in any other new country can 
be bought at no less cost for experience. Cheap lands 
are in demand by the ever-increasing number of farm 
home-builders, and the vast domain of which the sor- 
ghum belt is a part, affords as good opportunity as else- 
where for building a homestead w^rought out of the soil 
with a small initial capital. The failure following the 
efforts of any early settler, is due, principally, to a mis- 
understanding of the country — to his inability to use it 
for the purpose to which it is adapted. Nor is the settler 
wholly to blame for his failure. A large portion of the 
sorghum belt was colonized under the mis-representa- 
tion that it would successfully grow market crops — 
wheat and corn, — that all else could be lost sight of and 
in a few years the grain farmer would become rich. 
Hundreds of settlers bought homes in Central Kansas in 
the early day under this misrepresentation. There came 
a time when they were confronted with the same prob- 
lems which now confront the settler farther west. The 
western settler will overcome his difficulties in the same 
way as did the settler farther east — through growing 
more feed and more live stock. 

I think there is nothing to be gained by leaving the 
sorghum belt. It is doubtful if the settler can make a 
beginning elsewhere with better chances for success. It 
is my recommendation that he take new courage, a 
tighter grip on what he has, with a determination to 
attempt success by other suggested methods. I feel that 
the sorghum belt farmer — like most farmers in other 
sections — must get out of the rut in which he has fallen. 
Successful farming will not follow the methods of fifty 
years ago. Progress is the necessity of the time, in 
every line, and farming is not excepted. It is certain 
that the sorghum belt must afford homes for thousands of 
farmers — whether prosperous or not — and the time has 
arrived when those now occupying it may begin anew 
with a feeling of greater surety than heretofore. 



DEVELOPMENT OF SORGHUM BELT 19 

Experience Best Teacher. Many good and useful 
things have been learned in the past thirty years for the 
benefit of the sorghum belt farmer. The greater part 
has come out of his own experience. The early day 
settler was encouraged in the belief that rainfall would 
follow the plow. The records of many years have for- 
ever banished this cherished hope. There will be periods 
of comparatively light and heavy rainfall as in the past, 
but the annual precipitation will not increase perma- 
nently. This, experience has taught at a great cost. The 
same teacher has shown the folly of gambling with wheat, 
corn, cotton, or any other single market crop in which 
sole dependence is placed. Farming is unsuccessful when 
conducted on a speculative basis, and particularly so when 
the winning depends upon taking a long chance on a 
favorable crop season. Experience has extorted a long 
purchase price, with usury on the deferred payments, 
for what it has taught in the matter of exclusive crop 
farming. If experience had taught nothing but the cause 
of failure, the teaching should be regarded as worth the 
cost. But, while manifesting failure along certain lines, 
experience has taught success along other lines — the suc- 
cess of the settler who has been able to forestall adversity 
and whose precedent is worthy of imitation. 

Sorghum Crops Establish Farmers. I have asked 
several thousand sorghum belt farmers which crops, in 
their experience, have proven the most certain of pro- 
duction. In every instance they have named some mem- 
ber of the sorghum family — kafir, milo, or some of the 
sweet sorghums. When asked if they could make a living 
and some besides as a result of sorghum crops and live 
stock to consume those crops, they have answered affirm- 
atively. This is the answer borne out of their own experi- 
ence, or the experience of some neighbor. In patches 
planted here and there — sometimes well farmed but more 
frequently neglected — the sorghums have in every sor- 
ghum belt locality produced grain and forage year after 
year. Under difficulties they have proven their suprem- 



DEVELOPMENT OF SORGHUM BELT 21 

acy. With useful animals to consume them, they have 
established the occasional settler in a permanent and 
reasonably prosperous homestead. Through their utility, 
which has been proven by the settler, the sorghums prom- 
ise the hope for success in the sorghum belt. 

Hold Fast to Sorghum-Eating Animals. I am con- 
vinced that farmers in the sorghum belt recognize the 
combination of sorghums and live stock as essential to 
their success. But, how to make the change — how to get 
the start in live stock — is the outstanding and important 
question. The reader who is familiar with the condition 
of the settler cannot help realizing the importance and 
seriousness of this condition. I see no means by which 
he can be helped other than through his own efforts. The 
first step in that direction is to forever swear allegiance 
to sorghum crops and to hold fast to every sorghum- 
consuming animal until the herd is established. The 
grains of sorghums will sell for cash, and with the rough- 
age left on the farm, the settler is in a position to help 
himself toward establishing the live stock herd. The 
sorghum belt banker will help the worthy settler in build- 
ing up the live stock industry so far as his deposits will 
permit. In several localities there has been some organ- 
ized effort of commercial interests to such end. But, the 
farmer will find that for a considerable time in the future, 
as in the past, he must help himself. The time has not 
yet come in this country when the same system of finan- 
cial aid is at the farmer's disposal as in Germany, 
Denmark and other countries, and of which we are at 
this time hearing so much. 

Keep Pace With Best Thought of Times. There are 
agencies giving the sorghum belt farmer, and others as 
well, valuable assistance in every way except financially 
— the honest and capable purposes of which agencies are 
beyond question. To these the farmer should give heed. 
He has heretofore looked upon them with suspicion. It 
has been amply demonstrated that the thought of the 
time, as exemplified by the experiment stations, the agri- 



22 sorghums: sure money crops 

cultural colleges and the worth while editors of agricul- 
tural papers, has been in advance of that of the farmer. 
For example, the necessity of the sorghums as depend- 
able feed crops has been preached since 1886 by the Kan- 
sas Agricultural College and by such agricultural papers 
as the Kansas Farmer. Little heed was given such 
teaching until the necessity of a few successive dry years 
compelled attention. When more favorable seasons came 
the sorghums were almost forgotten. Then came the 
unexpected dry year again, to find the farmer unpre- 
pared because he had planted no sorghums. Thus, the 
sorghum belt farmer, through his own lack of fore- 
thought, has been kept fighting for grain and forage. 
He has not kept himself forearmed — he was never pre- 
pared for the emergency. In 1911 the sorghums came 
near affording Kansas her principal roughage — likewise 
in 1913. In the spring of 1913 in the western third of 
Kansas was planted thousands of acres of corn of varie- 
ties which could only in an extraordinarily favorable sea- 
son produce a crop. Only here and there was a milo 
field — but it produced grain. The grain sorghums ma- 
tured in every Kansas county in that season. The same 
demonstration has been made season after season in the 
past. Unless sorghum belt farmers will learn some of 
these things "for keeps," there is little hopfe for a changed 
future condition. Those agencies which have in the past 
observed, have kept the sorghum belt farmer informed 
and the seasons and the years have proven the wisdom of 
their recommendations. 

For twenty years the silo has been urged upon the 
Kansas farmer. An occasional farmer bought or con- 
structed a silo. But not until 1911 did the sorghum belt 
actually begin building silos — then, in order to save all 
of a comparatively small sorghum acreage with its great- 
est feeding value. In 1913 silos were again constructed 
in large numbers to save in the best possible condition, 
a short feed crop. A dozen or more parallel examples 
of the sorghum belt farmer failing to give heed to essen- 



DEVELOPMENT OF SORGHUM BELT 23 

tial things, could be given. Reference is made to these 
only to show that there is much practical thought of 
which the farmer can well afford to take notice. I hope 
that I may see the day when his mind will be more re- 
ceptive — when he will sift from the great mass of matter 
written for him, the essentials which he can appropriate 
to his use with benefit and profit. Had the sorghum belt 
farmer accepted the doctrine of the sorghums, the cow 
and the silo, as has been taught for years, he would today 
be richer in contentment and in pocketbook. 

The sorghum belt farmer should not be too severely 
criticised — if criticised at all. He should be dealt with 
in a kindly spirit. He is a pioneer in a new — and to a 
great extent untried — country. The pioneer's labor 
usually bears fruit after he is gone. However, there is 
no day like the present. I prefer to see the laborer receive 
his reward, rather than have it bestowed upon those who 
follow. I know there is a way by which the sorghum belt 
farmer of today can enjoy his reward if he will. 

Sorghum Belt Lands Will Pay. What is here sug- 
gested regarding profitable and permanent sorghum belt 
farming is comparative only. It cannot be expected that 
sorghum belt lands will become so valuable or can be 
farmed at as great an acre profit as lands of more favor- 
able climate under 40 to 45 inches of rainfall. It is not 
my belief that the sorghum belt can become a section of 
generally profitable farming in the same way or to the 
same extent that general farming exists in the heart of 
the corn belt. That every sorghum belt half section will 
be worth $100 or more per acre under general farming 
methods is not likely — unless it be irrigated. The up- 
lands of the sorghum belt will never be worth fabulous 
prices. That they can be made to pay as high rate of 
interest on the investment as corn belt farms pay, is 
certain. That they will actually pay sufficient to war- 
rant a higher price than they have heretofore com- 
manded, is certain. The sorghum belt farm, under good 
farm management, will make its owner reasonably pros- 







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DEVELOPMENT OF SORGHUM BELT 25 

perous — it should build for him a good home with such 
conveniences and comforts as farmers anywhere have — 
it should provide him with plenty for his declining years 
and in the meantime should educate and rear his children 
to become useful, honorable and prosperous citizens. 

Let Sentiment Give Way to Business. That the grain 
sorghums are most certain producers of grain and forage 
is evidenced on every hand. Every sorghum belt farmer 
has seen good crops of these grains mature when all other 
crops have failed. In 1913 grain sorghum crops matured 
in every county in Kansas and Oklahoma in which they 
were planted — not on every farm, to be sure, but for the 
failure there was a reason not to be attributed to the crop. 
The varieties of grain sorghums are numerous. There 
is no ground for contention as to which is the best. Each 
has its particular adaptability, and there is one or more 
for every section. The grain sorghums meet the need of 
every farmer from the standpoint of grain and forage 
for his live stock. They also supply meal for his family. 
The surplus sells readily on the markets. The markets 
for grain sorghums are mentioned later in this volume. 
Their usefulness is fully as varied as is that of corn. 
There has been a prejudice existing against the grain 
sorghums and which prejudice has been fostered by a 
general unfamiliarity in the growing of the crop, in its 
harvesting and in its feeding. Elsewhere in this volume 
are reported established practices which controvert this 
prejudice. It is true that there is no music so sweet as 
the thump of the corn ear at husking time, but when the 
corn crop fails, sentiment should turn in favor of the 
crop which withstands the season's adversity. The 
farmer, everywhere, needs the most certain crop, and 
can afford to bury sentiment for crop assurance. 

Stock Farming Most Profitable. Live stock farming, 
in all countries and in all times, has been found the most 
profitable. The highest-priced agricultural land is de- 
voted to some form of animal husbandry. Usually it has 
been the high price of land, together with the necessity 



26 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

for recuperating the lost fertility, that has forced live 
stock upon the farmer. However, these are not the con- 
ditions which compel the sorghum belt farmer to a rec- 
ognition of live stock. The census has shown that live 
stock farming in the corn belt pays from 18 to 48 per 
cent more income per acre than does grain farming. The 
average acre income from grain farming in Illinois is 
$10.60, from live stock farming $12.54; Missouri grain 
farming $7.69, live stock $9.50 ; Iowa grain farming 
$8.88, live stock $13.17. For the United States, grain 
yields $7.72 per acre, while live stock gives an income 
of $11.99, which is 55 per cent in favor of live stock. 
Incidentally those states which engage in dairying to the 
greatest extent have the largest acre income. In Kan- 
sas, the income from live stock is 36 per cent of the 
state's total income, wheat being 21 per cent and corn 25 
per cent — each for the past 20-year period. Thus, it will 
be seen that live stock in Kansas — in spite of the fact that 
hundreds of farms sell no live stock or live stock products 
— is already a considerable factor. It is apparent that 
when the growing of live stock becomes a practice as 
general in Kansas as is the growing of grains for mar- 
ket, the farmer's income will be greatly increased. Live 
stock gives to the corn belt farmer the highest market 
for his grain and for this reason a greater acre income 
from the grains grown. Also, live stock farms produce 
the most grain. For the sorghum belt farmer live stock 
will not only pay the highest price for grains fed, but, a 
large proportion of his crop being forage which has no 
market value, the animal will convert that forage into 
cash — and that is the principle which compels consider- 
ation of live stock farming. 

All Year Work Needed. One of the disadvantages of 
sorghum belt farming in the past — and for that matter, 
of grain farming everywhere — has been that a consid- 
erable portion of the farmer's time could not be con- 
verted into money. After harvest he has not been able 
to realize cash for his work of the late fall, winter and 



DEVELOPMENT OF SORGHUM BELT 27 

early spring months. In the past he has, through intent 
or by chance, been idle at least one-half of the year. His 
experience should teach him that he cannot succeed when 
he works only one-half the time. The farmer is entitled 
to all the holidays and rest he can get, but he can no 
better afford to work half the time than can the me- 
chanic. Time is what the farmer has to sell. If he sells 
only half of that time his possible income is cut in two. 
During the winter he can do little or nothing to help along 
the growing crops. With live stock — cattle, colts and pigs 
— to feed, cows to milk, or hens to look after, he can sell 
his time for cash. Year-around employment at profit- 
able work is the need of every man, including the farmer. 
For this reason, if for no other, live stock is needed on 
every farm. 

Stock Farm to Carrying Capacity. When I speak of 
live stock, I do not have reference to any particular kind, 
but refer to cattle, horses, mules, hogs, sheep and poultry. 
On the sorghum belt farm there is a need for more than 
one kind of live stock. A half dozen or more profitable 
combinations of the several kinds of live stock can be 
arranged. It goes without saying that every farm should 
keep upon it all the poultry it can accommodate. It 
should be the purpose of the settler to carry as much live 
stock of all kinds as his feed supply and pasture acreage 
will permit. When this maximum has been reached, then 
the carrying capacity of the farm can be still further 
increased by the use of the silo for both winter and sum- 
mer feeding. Farmers have come to regard summer 
feeding as wholly dependent upon pasture. This is a 
mistake. In the sorghum belt, soiling or feeding from 
the silo is wholly practical and economical. The sor- 
ghum belt is admirably adapted to live stock because of 
its temperate winter climate and health-promoting atmos- 
phere. In considering the kind and character of live 
stock, the sorghum belt farmer should make sure that 
throughout the year he will have at least ten cows in milk. 

Eventually Fatten Cattle and Hogs. I am confident 



28 sorghums: sure money crops 

that the basis of the agricultural development of the sor- 
ghum belt will be live stock. The only question in my 
mind is whether or not the quarter or half section farmer 
will so develop it. I am reasonably sure he can and that 
the present settler is justified in making the attempt. 
The cattleman — the ranchman — can and is doing it. I 
am sure that the grain sorghum belt will, through either 
the small or larger farmer — possibly both — become an 
important live stock producing section. I am not sure 
that the small sorghum belt farm will fatten its cattle 
and hogs. I believe it will. Maybe the small farmer will 
sell his surplus as stockers or feeders to the larger farmer 
or stockman who will finish them. I am expectant, 
though, that the development will be parallel with that 
in the corn belt — the small farmer selling his stock to 
the feeder and finisher until he becomes sufficiently fore- 
handed financially to do his own finishing, then, like 
the corn belt farmer, finishing his cattle and hogs by 
the carload — a car of each, possibly, each year. Else- 
where I have reported the successes of sorghum belt 
farmers here and there in feeding cattle and hogs and 
in finishing them for market. 

Ample Horse Power and Adapted Machinery. In the 
foregoing chapter it has been said in effect that the sor- 
ghum belt farmer must observe dry-farming methods. 
This holds good in so far as they are adapted to his sec- 
tion and do not involve more labor than is justified by 
the profit received through increased production — taking 
into consideration, of course, the increased certainty of 
the crop under dry-farming methods as compared with 
the ordinary methods. The sorghum belt farmer should 
buy farm machinery with the idea of its adaptability 
to his needs. Generally throughout the sorghum belt the 
same kind of farm implements are in use as in the corn 
belt. In a general way, this is a mistake. The sorghum 
belt farmer must cultivate a larger acreage for a given 
return, than is required in the case of the corn belt 
farmer, and so must plow, seed, cultivate and harvest 



DEVELOPMENT OF SORGHUM BELT 29 

more expeditiously and there is a class of machinery 
built for his special needs. He should use riding imple- 
ments, too. In short, he must do a maximum amount of 
work with a minimum energy. Also, the sorghum belt 
farmer has a condition of soil which requires special 
handling and this governs, to a considerable extent, the 
character of machinery used. The proper use of 
machinery and the efficiency of its use, depends upon 
the available horse power. Too many farms are short 
of horse power — this is as true of the sorghum belt 
as of the corn belt. It is my opinion that the one-man 
sorghum belt farm should h ive not less than four good 
horses. These should be brood mares of the draft type 
and each should grow a good colt each year. With 
ample horse power and adapted machinery, one man can 
handle well, 100 acres of cultivated land — including 20 
to 30 acres of fall crop — and still have the time necessary 
to look after his live stock. The latter should be well 
done, too. I have not yet seen the locality in which it 
did not pay to do farm choring carefully — feeding hogs, 
calves, milking a few cows, looking after the poultry, 
etc. Such choring in well balanced farm operations will 
pay in cash return as well as the same time spent in 
the field — except, possibly, in harvest time. 

Feed Supply in Reserve Essential. There is in the 
sorghum belt, as in every other area, years of short crops 
— not always because of dry weather, but sometimes be- 
cause of late or early frosts, hail storms, etc. The sor- 
ghum belt farmer can and should in the year of plenty 
provide for the short year. It is certain that his forage 
and his hays can be carried over from year to year and 
their feeding value fully maintained. He can do this 
just as surely as he can successfully carry over wheat 
in the bin. So to do, however, requires a disposition to 
provide against the time of need. Such disposition is 
an in-born quality of human-kind but to a greater or 
lesser extent has ''run out." The speculative business 
of growing wheat, cotton or corn, in which the sorghum 




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DEVELOPMENT OF SORGHUM BELT 31 

belt farmer, has heretofore engaged, is responsible for 
his disposition to let the next year take care of itself. 
He has known that if it rains he will get a crop and has 
felt that in case it failed to rain he would not get a crop. 
Speculation has to a great extent made the sorghum belt 
farmer a fatalist — that is, he believes that what is to 
be, will be, regardless of anything he may do to control 
conditions. When the sorghum belt farmer has a sur- 
plusage of anything, he should save it — particularly if 
it be grain or forage. A trip through western Kansas 
during the fall of 1913 showed the extremes to which 
an occasional farmer had gone in caring for the surplus 
roughage of 1912. Such men had cows or other cattle 
to feed. They had hauled the roughage to the barn lot 
and there stacked it as carefully as they would stack 
bundled wheat. The ricks were covered with slough 
grass, straw, boards, metal stack covers, etc. Such 
farmers had a feed supply insured for the 1913 season. 
Every other farmer who had a surplus of roughage in 
1912 could have done the same thing, but it was noted 
on the same trip that on the larger percentage of farms 
shocks still stood in the field and by feeding time in the 
early fall rains had made it of little value. Plenty of 
roughage was grown throughout the sorghum belt in 
1912 to feed through 1913 if it had been properly saved. 
Silo Essential Farm Structure. The silo, with its 
convenience and economy as a means of carrying a year's 
reserve of feed, is a thing which has recently been 
recognized by the sorghum belt farmer. Generally 
throughout the sorghum belt the pit silo can be con- 
structed with little cash outlay and made to serve as 
well as the silo built above ground. The low cost at 
which pit silos can be built justifies their general use 
in such numbers as will give the sorghum belt farmer 
all the storage capacity he can possibly need. Two are 
essential on every farm — one for current feeding and 
the other to carry the reserve for the short year. The 
silo conserves the maximum feeding value of the kafir. 



32 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

cane or corn plant, is economical in the use of storage 
space, and feed in the silo is proof against damage by 
wind, rain or fire. The pit silo is generally adapted to 
the sorghum belt — first, because it is within the reach 
of every farmer, and second, because the character of 
the soil is such as makes it successful. It cannot be 
cheaply built when the excavating must be done through 
rock. It may cave in if built in sand or gravel subsoil. 
Conditions adverse to the pit silo, however, do not 
generally exist in the sorghum belt, so it is another of 
those advantages of which the sorghum belt farmer can 
better avail himself than can his neighbor farther east. 
I do not regard the pit silo as a permanent structure, 
but the sorghum belt farmer has for years been com- 
pelled to erect more or less temporary buildings for all 
purposes and he should no more hesitate about building 
a pit silo than he would about building a straw shed or 
other temporary stabling for his animals. The construc- 
tion and proper use of a pit silo will enable the farmer 
to later erect above ground any kind of silo he may 
choose. By the use of a silo he will be able to build a 
barn, too, and it will help him to other better things. 
The silo is urged because it is the greatest help to better 
feeding of all kinds of live stock, and with kafir and cane 
for silage, the sorghum belt farmer can have as good and 
as sure roughage for all kinds of live stock as can the 
corn belt farmer. 

Need Garden as Well as Grain Sorghums. The 
sorghum belt farmer can well afford to give careful 
attention to a garden patch. A productive garden will 
save much cash outlay and it should be the aim of every 
farmer, everywhere, to grow as much as possible of the 
things needed for the support of his family. The farmer 
does not have as much money coming in as those engaged 
in some other lines of business, but it is not necessary 
for him to have as much going out — and that's where 
he has the advantage of the man in town. Garden crops 
generally do not require more soil moisture than do field 



DEVELOPMENT OF SORGHUM BELT 33 

crops. The garden patch should at all times be handled 
with a view to storing and conserving the soil moisture. 
It should be plowed deep early in the fall. Into it should 
be worked such manure as is necessary to bring the soil 
to a high state of fertility and to provide such decayed 
vegetable matter as will increase the water-holding 
capacity of the soil to the maximum. Cultivation in the 
garden is essential, both as a conserver of moisture and 
that it may be kept absolutely free from weeds. If the 
farmer feels that he must irrigate the garden, it can 
be done successfully by the windmill from his stock 
watering well. He may use either surface or sub-surface 
irrigation. The latter is probably the more efficient and 
uses the least water. It is not my desire to suggest fur- 
ther than the necessity for a garden. A large part of 
the family's living can come therefrom and I know it 
is cheaper to grow peas, beans, tomatoes, etc., in the 
farm garden, to be canned at home, than to buy the Mary- 
land product off the shelves of the general merchant. 
The farmer should kill and cure the pork and beef needed 
by his family. Butchering is a lost art on the great 
majority of western farms. The failure of the farmer to 
live so far as possible on his own products is costing 
the farming public millions of dollars annually. He can, 
if he will, live better and at less cost by producing a 
large part of what he eats. 

Money Crops Needed. It is not to be inferred from 
anything heretofore said that the grains of the sorghums 
are not money or cash crops as well as feed crops. Else- 
where the markets for and prices of these grains as 
compared with other grains, are reported. It should 
here be understood, however, that the grains of the sor- 
ghums sell readily and are as good cash crops and far 
more dependable than any other market crops the sor- 
ghum belt farmer can grow. But, he needs a diversity 
of crops; first, that labor may be distributed so far as 
possible throughout the year; second, because of the 
rotation needed for keeping his fields in the best physical 



34 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

condition; and, third, that the seasonable risk may be 
as widely distributed as possible. It does not pay to 
place all the eggs in one basket. Diversification of 
money crops is the part of wisdom. 

Wheat on Sane Basis Essential. It has been said 
that wheat farming should be eliminated from the farm 
practice west of the 98th meridian. I am not in accord 
with such statement. The sorghum belt farmer needs 
wheat as a cash crop. He needs it for reasons too numer- 
ous to mention. The principal reasons are that he needs 
the money, it can be grown without interfering with 
feed crops, and that the necessary rotation may be em- 
ployed. Besides, wheat is a dry-farming crop. The hard 
winter wheats have a place in the successful farm opera- 
tions of those parts of the sorghum belt in which they 
are now grown. The trouble in the past with sorghum 
belt wheat growing by the small farmer, has been that 
he has engaged in it on too large a scale and has de- 
pended almost wholly upon it. I have known a number 
of the so-called wheat kings and each has died poor. 
Nevertheless, there has been much money made from 
wheat by sorghum belt farmers as well as farmers else- 
where, and much more will be made as a result of good 
agricultural methods and conservative acreages. 

The farmer in those sections of the sorghum belt now 
growing wheat, needs it in a comparatively small way 
— at any rate not in a larger way than will permit of 
the thorough and early preparation of the seed bed and 
seasonable seeding. The acreage should be limited to that 
which the farmer and his family can seed in season and 
harvest with the smallest possible cash outlay for hired 
help. The possibility of securing the needed help in 
harvest is more uncertain than the seasons, and I would 
have the small general farmer measure his operations 
by his available family help. The hired man has caused 
the failure of many a farmer, and while thousands can 
so manage their affairs as to make him a profitable in- 
vestment, the larger percentage cannot. 



DEVELOPMENT OF SORGHUM BELT 35 

In the future as in the past, wheat will continue to 
be an important crop of a large part of the sorghum 
belt because it is the best money crop in those sections 
in which it is grown. Its uncertainty of the past can 
to a great extent be overcome. Actual farm operations 
have proven that this can be accomplished. The adop- 
tion of a rotation, with summer or early fall plowed 
land, a thoroughly prepared seed bed, and seasonable 
seeding, has produced three or four times the average 
acre yield under former methods. Within the limita- 
tions prescribed I am sure wheat will assist materially 
in the upbuilding of the sorghum belt. It is a cereal for 
which there is an ever-increasing demand. A filled 
wheat bin is near money in the bank. Wheat as a cash 
crop is so necessary to the plains settler in the wheat 
growing sections, that he must master those cultural 
methods which promise the growing of a small acreage 
at a near assured annual profit. 

Cash Crop For Nearly Every Condition. Other 
money crops, to accompany wheat or to be used in sec- 
tions not adapted to wheat, are cotton, broomcorn, rye, 
barley and oats. These are staple crops readily market- 
able. Like wheat, their residue or by-products are of 
value in stock farming. The seed of cotton is needed 
for supplying the protein necessary to balance the ration 
made of the grain and the roughage of sorghums. The 
seed of broomcorn has feeding value equal to the seed 
of the sweet sorghums. Rye and barley each afford 
pasturage and straw and so contribute largely to the 
economical and satisfactory support of live stock. Their 
grains have high feeding value for all kinds of farm 
stock and when needed for feed can be marketed through 
stock as advantageously as any crop the farmer can 
grow, yet as a money crop they sell as readily as wheat. 
The oat crop is seriously neglected in the sorghum belt. 
There are several varieties which are quick growers, 
using the early spring rains advantageously and so are 
likely to escape later dry weather. The grain of oats 



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DEVELOPMENT OF SORGHUM BELT 37 

is recognized by every farmer as a valuable feed. The 
hay of oats is not fully appreciated either as a feed of 
superior quality or as a ''sure feed crop." There are 
few seasons when oat hay cannot be grown in profit- 
able acre tonnage. The hay of oats is more valuable as 
feed than the hay of millet, rye or wheat. 

I cannot dismiss this topic without mention of spelt 
and emmer. These are little known in the sorghum 
belt. They came from a section of Russia having hot, 
dry summers. Their performance in the Dakotas has 
been such as to commend them to our arid and semi- 
arid sections farther south. As feeds they are near the 
equal of barley, but are not grains of commerce to the 
same extent and are here mentioned more particularly 
as feed crops which will add variety and palatability 
to the sorghum belt ration and which will work into the 
needed field rotation. 

Balanced Farming Will Pay Best. It is our opinion 
that the sorghum belt farmer can, and should in a 
measure, be a crop-producing farmer, but his operations 
must be so arranged that he is not dependent upon the 
cash market crops produced. His every effort should be 
for the production of feed for all the live stock he can 
keep. However, by consistent good farming methods, 
which are exemplified in the dry-farming practices, he 
can grow cash market crops with a reasonable degree 
of profit and the cash income received therefrom will 
prevent the necessity of selling cows or calves at a sacri- 
fice. When such crops fail to produce market grains, 
they do produce feed and which feed in the form of 
straw or pasture is frequently worth as much money 
as the grain crop. 

Dairying as Farm Industry. I am sure that most 
sorghum belt farmers realize the advantages of and 
the necessity for keeping cattle. How to get the start 
is important. In the case of many farmers that start 
must be made with two or three cows — maybe only one. 
Make some sort of turn to get the cow or cows. That 



DEVELOPMENT OF SORGHUM BELT 39 

farmer who has a cow should not sell her until his herd 
is established. If the cows are few they should by all 
means be milkers and should be milked. The fact is that 
three or four cows — if they are the only stock of the 
farm — are worth almost their weight in gold, to the 
settler. The common cow of the plains farmer will 
serve as the nucleus of the milking herd or stock cattle 
herd. The advantages of the milk cow to the farmer 
who is not firmly established financially, are not dis- 
puted. There are many who believe that the farmer 
of the sorghum belt cannot establish permanent farm- 
ing operations without having a milking herd and that 
the number of cows be limited only by the help he has 
for milking. Should the farmer be absolutely depend- 
ent upon himself as a milker, I do not excuse him from 
milking eight or ten cows each night and morning. I 
did as much for years and know that the time expended 
was more profitable than that expended in any other 
work. 

I have numerous records of far western Kansas and 
Oklahoma and eastern Colorado farmers who are 
realizing $35 to $45 per cow per year from a herd of 
ten cows, this income being from the sale of butter fat 
alone. The value of the calf, the value of the skim milk 
for feeding calves, pigs and chickens, will come near 
equaling the income named. Such amount of money has 
come from the milking of the so-called common cows, 
fed on sorghum roughage and grains and the pasture 
of the plains, and given such care as the ingenuity of 
the careful and painstaking owner makes possible. 

Western Kansas Cow Income. C. W. Jones of 
Thomas County, Kansas, milks cows in the ''fat" years 
as well as in the ''lean" years. In 1912 he milked 14 
cows and here is his report: Cream sold, $555.76; 
twelve calves raised worth $25 each, $300; cream and 
butter eaten at home, $60; 1,500 pounds of hogs fattened 
from milk and slop, $105; total, $1,020.76, or an aver- 
age income for the year of $72.91 per cow. You can't 



DEVELOPMENT OF SORGHUM BELT 41 

tell Mr. Jones that it does not pay to milk cows, for he 
has the figures to prove that it does. The important 
thing, however, is that every sorghum belt farmer who 
w^ill get a bunch of cows can do as well. 

Henry P. Von Ann of Sheridan County, Kansas, 
milked ten cows during 1912 and here is his statement: 
Cream sold, $609.91 ; nine calves raised, worth $25 each, 
$225; home use of milk and cream, $50; total, $884.91, 
or an average per cow, of $88.49. 

Oklahoma Cow-Milking Results. During the year 
1911 the dairy department of the Oklahoma Agricultural 
College investigated the income from the milking herds 
on 100 farms widely distributed throughout the state. 
The average return per cow per year for 33 herds, on 
which complete returns were obtained, ranged from 
$18.75 to $54.55 per cow. This gives a good idea of 
the income from the farmer's cow in Oklahoma. In- 
cidentally it shows the difference in cows, too, pointing 
to the fact that it is worth while to have good cows. 
But, the essential thing is to get the milking habit by 
milking the kind of cow it is possible to obtain. Selec- 
tion and breeding up for improvement can and will 
come later. 

Colorado Cow-Milking Results. H. B. Rice of 
Calhan, Colorado, in the fall of 1912, dug a pit silo and 
filled it with kafir. His herd of six cows yielded butter 
fat which brought checks averaging $65 per month from 
October to May, inclusive. 

J. W. Classen, in eastern El Paso County, Colorado, 
during the summer of 1913 was realizing $10 per week 
from seven cows through the sale of butter fat, and 
J. J. Wassam, Yoder, Colorado, milked four cows which 
produced $30 worth of cream per month. These latter 
two are summer milking records, but each man has a 
pit silo and by having cows fresh in the fall, the silage 
enables them to realize as much money in winter as in 
summer. 

Hundreds of other similar reports could be given to 



42 sorghums: sure money crops 

show what sorghum belt farmers are realizing through 
the milking of common cows, fed and cared for in a 
very ordinary, farmer's way. Reports on grade cows 
of dairy breeds show nearly double the butter fat sales 
above given. But, I have preferred to show what the 
settler can expect from the best of such cows as he may 
now have, rather than report results from specialized 
dairying. 

Man Who Milks Cows Not in Debt. The thoughts 
of a Thomas County, Kansas, banker are significant, 
in the light of what has been stated regarding cow milk- 
ing. It was in 1901 that I made my first visit to his 
county. A few years later I had occasion to compile 
figures on the total sales of butter fat at the cream re- 
ceiving stations of that county. Thomas County was 
then selling about $50,000 worth of dairy products per 
year, and five years later when another investigation 
for the same purpose, was made, the sales totaled less 
than $20,000. I wrote I. W. Crumley, asking why farm- 
ers were not patronizing the milk cow as they once did. 
Here is a part of his reply: 

''I remember you well in the old skimming station 
days when The Continental Creamery Company made 
a campaign of education in the milking of cows. This 
country commenced to get to the front at that time, 
and everybody milked some cows then and had money 
to pay their bills. When the butter and eggs do not 
pay the running expenses of the western farm, the farm 
is not being run on right lines, and any farmer who will 
not keep track of what his cows bring for him does not 
know what they have done. 

"This country will support a large number of people 
if they will stick to cows and poultry. But we had a 
number of good crop years and the farmer fell over him- 
self to put a whole township to wheat, drilling it in the 
stubble year after year, and of course we know the 
results — he does, too, now, but it has proven expensive 
knowledge. In the rush attendant upon growing so 



DEVELOPMENT OF SORGHUM BELT 43 

much wheat he didn't have time to milk the cows and 
so sold them. This was the greatest mistake he ever 
made. 

''Any banker can look over his territory and tell you 
the man who stuck to his cows; he is the man who does 
not owe anybody. I am encouraging my customers to 
buy cows, and any good man wanting money with which 
to buy cows can get it from me. 

''You are on the right track. I am glad to see you take 
an interest in Western Kansas, for as a rule the papers 
are inclined to take a whack at Western Kansas when- 
ever the opportunity presents, instead of giving us the 
encouragement we need." 

Cow is "Never-Failing Cash Producer/* The de- 
velopment of the sorghum belt is largely dependent upon 
the milk cow, according to H. M. Cottrell, a former 
Kansas farmer and educator and close observer of west- 
ern conditions. He is now Agricultural Commissioner 
of the Rock Island Lines, and his recommendations are 
being followed by the Immigration Department in sug- 
gesting to settlers the most likely road to success. Here 
is what he says of Eastern Colorado, but which is ap- 
plicable to the entire sorghum belt: 

"The average 320 acres in the dry farming districts 
of Eastern Colorado farmed right will return a cash in- 
come of $1,500 a year besides all the farm products a 
large family can use. The dairy cow is the one never- 
failing cash producer of the plains, and a well-selected 
one will return $75 and upward a year when fed silage 
and dry forage, made from dry land crops that never 
fail. The skim milk fed with milo or kafir makes hog- 
raising profitable. A well-selected, well-cared for hen 
will return $2 a year on dry land feeds and the dry land 
farmer, who will, can keep 200 to 400 laying hens. 
Wheat is a good cash crop in wet years and Mexican 
beans in dry years. A windmill will irrigate an acre 
or more that will furnish more vegetables and fruit than 



44 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

a large family can use and the water will make flowers, 
trees and a lawn grow. 

'The cow is the foundation of money-making on the 
dry land farm. Where there are cows there is a pros- 
perous home. A cow of strong dairy type, either grade 
or pure-bred, fed a properly balanced ration of home- 
grow^n dry land feeds will return $75 a year from the 
sale of the butter fat in her cream. Creameries in the 
Southwest pay the farmers cash on delivery for each 
shipment of cream, so that a good dairy herd returns 
a cash income two or three times a week the year round 
and year after year whether the season be wet or dry. 

**The skim milk can be fed to calves which can be 
fattened on milo and silage and marketed at a high price 
as 'baby beef when fourteen months old, or the skim 
milk can be fed to hogs with milo or kafir and the best 
of pork produced. A part of the skim milk can be fed 
at a good profit to laying hens. 

'The man who goes on to a dry land farm should 
take at least ten good dairy cows with him ; if he under- 
stands dairying he should take twenty. Don't think of 
dry land farming without thinking of dairy cows. 
Don't plan to go on a dry land farm without planning 
to take a herd of dairy cows with you. Don't attempt 
to make a living on a dry land farm except from a herd 
of good dairy cows. Every other way is too uncertain. 

"There is plenty of wind in a dry farming country 
and a windmill will pump the water needed for the house 
and stock and a surplus sufficient to irrigate from one 
to two acres. One acre of irrigated land will furnish 
more vegetables than a large family can use and an ample 
supply of rhubarb, asparagus, gooseberries, strawberries, 
currants, and early cherries. The rest of the water can 
be used on a lawn and shade trees. The cows will fur- 
nish a good cash income and the windmill will supply the 
water to make a comfortable and attractive home.'* 

Cows Will Pay Family and Farm Expenses. It is 
apparent that the farmer can have a cash income of $500 



DEVELOPMENT OF SORGHUM BELT 45 

to $G00 per year from a herd of ten to fifteen common 
cows through the sale of butter fat alone. The cash re- 
ceived each time the cream is marketed is sufficient to 
supply the farm with the money necessary to prevent 
the accumulation of debt while waiting for crops or for 
the growing young stock to reach the highest value. It 
is to avoid the accumulated store and other bills, for 
which the settler should strive. Along with the cows 
and calves there should be pigs and a few colts, the sale 
of which, together with that of wheat or other cash 
crop, will result in a lump sum to be applied on the 
mortgage or toward the building of a barn or dwelling 
or maybe purchase of more land. It should at all times 
be kept in mind that the farm should be made to produce 
a great variety of commodities — live stock, live stock 
products and field crops — which are of easy sale. The 
more varied the products of the farm the smaller is the 
chance for failure. Obviate the necessity for accumu- 
lated store bills and other debts, by milking cows and 
selling eggs, and the income from other sources may 
then be so applied as to result in adding to the actual 
wealth of the settler. 

Live Stock Developed Central Kansas. For thirty 
years I farmed in central Kansas, and, as I have said, 
the conditions in that section in the early day of its de- 
velopment were not materially different from those ex- 
isting throughout the sorghum belt. Permanent and 
profitable farming there came through the same general 
plan as that suggested for the plains farmer. During 
the past ten years I have talked, eaten and slept with 
the western farmer and feel that I know his condition 
and situation as well as can anyone except the man who 
has actually spent years in farming the plains. So I 
feel that the sorghum belt farmer's hope lies along the 
lines suggested. Speculation has not brought to him 
permanency or prosperity in the past. There is little 
hope that it will in the future. The sooner he settles 
down to a moderate wheat acreage or other cash crop, 



46 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

the sooner he patronizes live stock as a means of con- 
suming those surer producing grains and forages, the 
sooner will he become a permanent fixture in the terri- 
tory in which he now lives. Farming is not a ''get-rich- 
quick" business. It is a question of good management, 
one of frugality, one of mastering the soil and climatic 
conditions, and so becomes a life-long business. The 
farmer who has earned a good living and some besides, 
and who leaves to his family a well improved farm, free 
from debt, has accomplished as much as most farmers 
hope to accomplish, and has done much more than the 
large percentage of those who seek their living through 
other means. 

Boiled Down Sorghum Belt Suggestions. As a result 
of the experience of many sorghum belt farmers who 
have succeeded far beyond the average, these conclusions 
seem worthy of consideration: 

(1) That grain sorghum crops are the most certain 
of production and should have precedence over other 
cash market crops. 

(2) That in these surest of feed crops with live stock 
to consume them, lies the best hope for the sorghum 
belt farmer. 

(3) That the generally accepted dry-farming methods 
must to a certain degree be employed in the growing of 
grain sorghums and such cash crops as are regarded 
best adapted to the various sections. 

(4) That at least one year's reserve feed supply 
should at all times be carried. 

Let these conclusions be the guide of the sorghum 
belt farmer. By following them, with good judgment, 
and by keeping everlastingly at it, he stands to win, and 
if he loses he will not be worse hurt than he will by con- 
tinuing to follow his present methods. 



GRAIN SORGHUMS IN GENERAL 

The Old World history of the grain sorghums is not 
essential except as it may add to the reader's interest and 
throw some light on their adaptability to and usefulness 
in the sorghum belt. The outstanding facts regarding 
their growth and use in other countries may tend to 
a wider appreciation in those sections of this country 
in which necessity compels their consideration. The 
grains of the sorghum family are the staple cereal crops 
of 700 million people of India, Egypt, China, Africa 
and other countries, and so generally and in such quanti- 
ties are they grown as to make them the third largest 
cereal crop in the world. By the people of the 
above named countries the grain is used for every pur- 
pose for which we in the United States use wheat and 
corn. The grain of the sorghums is their staff of life. 
Their live stock feed upon the grain and forage. In 
many parts the coarser stalks are built into shelter for 
both man and beast. 

As would be expected, the agricultural experiment sta- 
tions of Africa, East India and Egypt have taken note of 
grain sorghum production. These stations record large 
yields on the most fertile soils in the sections of heaviest 
rainfall. They also record their adaptability to the high 
altitudes, the short growing seasons, the poorer soils 
and the sections of light rainfall. The conditions 
recorded, and under which they are grown, vary from 
the humid to the arid, and from near sea level to an 
altitude of 4,500 feet, although it is said that the grain 
yield is light at an altitude of 3,900 feet. It is indicated 
by the map that the sorghums in the Eastern Hemisphere 
are grown as far north as latitude 45 degrees, which 
is the latitude of St. Paul, Minnesota. While we 



GRAIN SORGHUMS IN GENERAL 49 

have not adapted grain sorghums in a general way north 
of latitude 42 degrees, which is the Kansas-Nebraska 
line, in Montana and in the Dakotas milo, in particular, 
has given good yields at 45 degrees. Also through Ne- 
braska and the Dakotas sorghums for forage are quite 
generally grown. Reference to the map will reveal the 
fact that every country on the globe having the same 
latitude as the sorghum belt in the United States, is 
growing sorghums. This indicates that the home of the 
sorghums, in general characteristics, presents a wider 
range of conditions — favorable as well as unfavorable 
— than does our sorghum belt. It should be understood, 
however, that the grain sorghums as growing in the Old 
World are, for the most part, unimproved and so widely 
varying in their usefulness as a grain or forage. 

These remarks are presented as evidence that farmers 
in the sorghum belt are not experimenting with a family 
of plants originally grown under such conditions as to 
make their performance problematical or of doubtful 
value. Upon their importation to the United States the 
Federal Department of Agriculture has, through its 
various agencies, improved the original sorghums by 
selection and cultivation, and the sorghum belt farmer 
can make them still better suited to his needs by con- 
tinuing these, as will be shown later in this volume. 

Introduction of Grain Sorghums Into United States. 

For more than 150 years the people of the United States 
have been interested in sorghums. Of the first impor- 
tations only broomcorn became permanent. In 1853 
sweet sorghums were imported from China and in 1857 
an importation was made from Africa. These were for 
sugar-making purposes. The first permanent importa- 
tion of grain sorghums was brown durra and white 
durra. These came by way of California and in that 
state in 1874 were grown under the names, brown 
"Egyptian corn" and white "Egyptian corn." In 1880 
to 1884 the white durra was grown in Kansas, Oklahoma 
and Texas as "rice corn," and in 1890 to 1894 it was 



50 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



grown in the same states as ''Jerusalem corn." These 
durras were of early maturity and dry weather resistance 
but were short-lived in their usefulness, due, it is said, 
to the extreme waste in handling resulting from exces- 
sive shattering when ripe. However, the brown and 
white durras are still sparingly grown in Texas and 
New Mexico and west to California. 




Threshing Kafir in the Interior of Atriea. — Natives Beating Seed 
from Heads with Straight Sticks. — Photo by F. L, Snow, Topeka. 

In 1876 white and red kafir were imported from South 
Africa. Kafirs were first cultivated in the Southern 
States. Experience, however, soon proved that they 
were best adapted to that territory which is now de- 
scribed as the sorghum belt. In 1886 the kafirs were 
introduced into general use on a large scale in Kansas, 
Oklahoma and California, by the experiment stations 
of these states. The black-hulled was not imported as 
a distinct crop. Its origin is not definitely known. It 
is believed, however, that it was separated by selection 
from the first importations of red and white. 



GRAIN SORGHUMS IN GENERAL 51 

Milo was introduced into the Southern States in 1885 
but did not become a staple crop until 1890 when it was 
planted in Western Texas, and since that date has in 
sections of that state been the principal grain crop. It 
has been acclimated and gradually moved north and is 
a dependable grain crop as far north as the Kansas- 
Nebraska line. However, it is being grown still farther 
north but to date in a limited way only. 

It is interesting to note that kafir was introduced 
by the Federal Department of Agriculture at a total 
introductory cost not to exceed $5,000. Inasmuch as 
the annual value of the grain in the "semi-arid South- 
west" — not including Kansas — is in excess of 20 million 
dollars, it is apparent that the department made a wise 
expenditure of public funds. The department in its 
1900 Year Book, said: 'There are now about 600 thous- 
and acres planted to kafir in the State of Kansas alone, 
and it has been predicted that within ten years at least 
two million acres will be grown annually in that state." 
The fact that in twelve years from the time the pre- 
diction was made, Kansas was growing one and one-half 
million acres, proves that the guess was fairly accurate. 

Divisions of Sorghum Family. The sorghums, much 
to the confusion of the farm-reading public, are various- 
ly classified. While I do not regard the classification 
of the grain sorghums as essentially important to the 
farmer, nevertheless it is desirable that a simple classifi- 
cation be made and that it be kept in mind. That the 
reader may know in a general way — and which is suffici- 
ently accurate for all practical purposes — we submit 
these groups in the order of their importance to sor- 
ghum belt farmers : (1) Kafirs; (2) durras; (3) sweet 
sorghums; (4) broomcorns. 

Kafirs. In the kafir group are common and well 
known varieties — black-hulled and red. The distinguish- 
ing characteristics of each are well indicated by the 
name. The black-hulled has white seed, black glumes, 



52 



sorghums: sure money crops 



and grows five to eight feet tall. The red has red seed 
and black glumes. A dwarf black-hulled has been de- 
veloped by selection and this has white seed, black glumes, 
and grows three to four and one-half feet tall. In some 
sections is still grown the white kafir. This variety, 
however, has not met with the approval of farmers 
generally. In the writer's experience it proved of later 




Grinding Kafir Meal in Interior ot Africa. — Natives Crushing the 
Grain Between Stones. — Photo by F. L. Snow, Topeka. 

maturity than the red or black-hulled but a heavier 
yielder. It has white seed and white glumes. The kafirs 
are grown for both grain and forage. Many farmers 
use the same planting for both purposes; others, how- 
ever, are more successfully planting thin for grain and 
thick for forage. 

Durras. The durra group includes both brown and 
white durra, which, keep in mind, have been grown in 



GRAIN SORGHUMS IN GENERAL 53 

this country under the names of ''Jerusalem corn," ''rice 
corn" and "Egyptian corn," — and in fact other names 
which have proven attractive bait to unsuspecting seed 
purchasers. The group also includes Sudan durra which 
is a recent importation and which is commonly called 
"feterita." It came from Egypt in 1906. Yellow and 
white milo also belong to the durra group. The grain 
of each member of the durra family serves the same 
purpose for feeding as does the grain of the kafirs. 
However, the forage does not equal that of either kafir 
or the sweet sorghums because of the fewer leaves and 
the more woody, pithy stalk. 

Sweet Sorghums. To the sweet sorghums belong all 
varieties of those plants which farmers commonly call 
"cane," and many varieties are grown in the sorghum 
belt. The sweet sorghums deserve better treatment in 
every respect than they get. The pure seed of the sev- 
eral varieties sells readily and a crop of cane seed is 
as profitable a cash crop as many sections can grow. 
The mixing of varieties has greatly depreciated the value 
and usefulness of the cane crop. The best variety for 
the sorghum belt is Amber. There are several strains 
of Amber, but the red is the earliest, usually maturing 
a crop of seed before frost. The Ambers do not grow 
as large as other varieties, making a quality of forage 
more conveniently handled and more readily eaten by 
live stock. Freed sorghum, or white cane, has recently 
been developed in Western Kansas by a farmer whose 
name it has been given. Through the Federal Depart- 
ment of Agriculture it has been introduced into various 
sections of the sorghum belt. Its forage is said to possess 
all the qualities of other sweet sorghums. In addition 
it seeds more heavily than others and the seed possesses 
a greater palatability and so a higher feeding value than 
that of other sorghums. Early Orange is grown through- 
out Kansas. It is of medium late maturity. Sumac is 
grown in Kansas and Oklahoma and is especially de- 
sirable for syrup. It should prove a superior silage 



54 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

variety since it produces a large tonnage. There are 
many other distinct varieties and cross-hybridized 
varieties grown successfully for hay or silage. 

The analysis of the grain of the sweet sorghums in- 
dicates that it is the equal of kafir or milo in feeding 
value, but from the standpoint of palatability and digesti- 
bility is not so desirable or valuable, but nevertheless 
is an important grain. The feeding value of the seed of 
sweet sorghums, as compared with that of kafir and 
milo, is elsewhere discussed. 

Broomcorns. The broomcorns are valuable for their 
brush and for the seed to reproduce their kind. There are 
numerous varieties but as none is of special value for 
its grain or forage as compared with kafir, milo or the 
sweet sorghums, they are not here considered. It is not 
amiss to say, however, that the analysis of ripe seed 
indicates that it is only slightly inferior to corn. If the 
seed from a brush crop is dried and stored it will furnish 
feed of considerable value. 

Names Used. The reader will please note that in 
this volume "kafir" is used instead of ''kafir corn" and 
**milo" instead of ''milo maize." The sweet sorghums 
are referred to as "cane" since the latter is the word 
now commonly used and generally well understood by 
farmers in speaking of those sorghums grown primarily 
for their forage. When the kafirs, milos, durras and 
sweet sorghums are spoken of collectively and when ref- 
erence is made to those things common to each, the word 
"sorghums" is used. When reference is made to those 
sorghums which produce grain they are designated as 
"grain sorghums." Also the term "black-hulled" kafir 
is used instead of "black-hulled white," and "white" in- 
stead of "white-hulled white." The abbreviated terms 
are sufficiently descriptive of the varieties and are more 
simple. 

Common Varieties Under New Names. The staple 
and well known varieties of grain sorghums are fre- 
quently sold under new names, with extravagant claims 



GRAIN SORGHUMS IN GENERAL 55 

as to dry weather resistance and productivity. Farmers, 
generally, know this common graft in the sale of the 
seed of many farm and garden crops. Reliable seed 
houses do not engage in this kind of business. The latest 
example of such questionable methods occurred during 
the past winter when the seed of '*Schribar corn" was ad- 
vertised for sale throughout Oklahoma at twenty-five 
cents per pound. The Federal Department of Agricul- 
ture advises that this ''corn" is indistinguishable from 
feterita, the seed of which can be obtained at much lower 
prices. It is well for the purchasing farmer to make 
a careful investigation into the merits of so-called new 
grain sorghums before buying them. Obtaining a 
sample of the seed will usually enable him to know 
whether or not it is of some established and common 
variety. The state experiment station authorities will 
advise whether or not the seed merits its advertised 
claim. Many farmers have a somewhat foolish desire 
to try out so-called new dry weather resisting crops and 
will pay long prices for seed which promises more cer- 
tain production than those proven crops they already 
have. It is well for the farmer to remember that the 
experiment stations are at all times investigating various 
new field crops and new varieties of established crops. 
It is not the part of wisdom to plant a considerable acre- 
age of any seed until the experiment station authorities 
or good farmers have placed their approval upon such 
crop. 

Habits of Sorghum Growth. Experience should have 
taught the sorghum belt farmer that the sorghums are 
more dry weather resistant and of earlier maturity and 
more certain of production than is corn. There would 
seem to be no good reason for a detailed explanation as 
to why these plants differ in these respects. However, 
a full understanding of the characteristics of the sor- 
ghum plants will enable the farmer to more fully appre- 
ciate their adaptability to sorghum belt conditions, and 
so justify his greater dependence in them. 










o 



.2 

"(J 



a 






K 



m 



GRAIN SORGHUMS IN GENERAL 57 

The sorghums have an extensive root system. This 
has been noted by every farmer who has plowed a field 
following a sorghum crop. The soil is usually so full of 
roots as to make plowing difficult and the ground turns 
up soddy and lumpy. This would indicate that sorghums 
have more numerous roots than has corn, but this is by 
no means established. The dry condition of the soil fol- 
lowing sorghums, however, is evidence of the ability of 
the sorghum plants to extract moisture from the soil 
to a greater extent than does corn, and through which 
moisture the plant obtains the food necessary for its 
development. The sorghums have the faculty of deep 
rooting, if necessary, to obtain moisture. Their greater 
ability to adapt themselves to moisture conditions is one 
of the reasons why the sorghums are able to withstand 
dry weather and heat to a greater degree than is corn. 
In a dry season the sorghums will root more deeply than 
in a wet season. If the required moisture is near the 
surface the roots will be found near the surface. This 
is a condition which should affect the methods of culti- 
vation and which methods are later discussed. 

The grain sorghums are in every locality and from 
every standpoint compared with corn. The fact is that 
we have no variety of plants so comparable with corn 
in every respect. The grain sorghums grow best and 
produce the largest acre yield of grain and forage under 
those conditions most favorable to corn. However, it is 
well known that under conditions unfavorable to corn 
the sorghums are much more certain of profitable pro- 
duction. Through many centuries of cultivation in the 
tropics they have acquired an adaptability to widely vary- 
ing climatic and soil conditions. The character of the 
plant is responsibile for its wide range of adaptability 
in the sorghum belt. The ability of the sorghum plants 
to control transpiration is one of the important differ- 
ences between them and corn. The sorghums, like all 
other plants, are constantly absorbing water from the 
soil through the roots and much of this water passes 



58 sorghums: sure money crops 

into the air through the pores of the leaves. This action 
is comparable to the escaping water through the human 
skin in the form of perspiration. The curling of the sor- 
ghum leaf during a long dry spell or during the heat of 
the day, thus reducing the amount of water passing 
from its leaves, has resulted in the common observation 




Prize-Winning Kafir Heads, Butler County, Kansas. Kafir Carnival. 

that the sorghums will withstand a dry spell with com- 
paratively no injury and so "wait for rain." When the 
leaves of corn begin to curl as a result of dry weather 
or extreme heat, there is undoubted injury being done 
the crop. By reducing the moisture thrown off by trans- 
piration, the sorghum plant is simply conserving the 
available moisture and while so doing is not growing, 
but is retaining life and so is ready to produce seed and 
forage when moisture conditions are favorable. 

The early maturity of the sorghums as compared with 
corn, is also much in their favor. The need for grain 
sorghums is greatest in the dry sections which have a 
short growing season and in which sections the rainfall 
occurs largely during the early part of the growing sea- 
son. This is a condition particularly true of the sorghum 



GRAIN SORGHUMS IN GENERAL 59 

belt, and, as has elsewhere been stated, rapid growing 
and early maturing plants are able to utilize such rain- 
fall to the fullest possible extent, the plant developing 
and maturing in advance of the later and drier part of 
the season. The early plant requiring a shorter growing 
season, not only uses less water but uses that water 
earlier in the season, and so, as in the case of the sor- 
ghums, is able to mature seed on the early rainfall. The 
sorghums should be kept of early maturity and which 
characteristic can in fact be further developed by saving 
the early ripening heads for seed. The natural tendency 
of the sorghums is to become later in maturity. Mixing 
with other varieties by cross-fertilization has the further 
effect of delaying maturity. It is apparent, then, that 
if the grain sorghums be maintained at the highest de- 
gree of usefulness their seed must be given such care 
as will preserve those characteristics which are essential 
to the most certain production. 

One other important feature of sorghum development 
is that of ''dwarf stature." This has been recognized in 
the case of corn, too, the early maturing varieties being 
the dwarf varieties. The small stalk requires less water 
than the large stalk, and dissipates less water through 
transpiration. So a small stalk producing as large head 
or ear as the large stalk, has a decided advantage in a 
season or section of light rainfall. Dwarf varieties of 
kafirs and milos are not necessarily more dry weather 
resistant than the common or large varieties, but their 
lower water requirement is certainly desirable in sea- 
sons or in sections in which moisture is the limiting or 
controlling factor in crop production. 

Comparative Earliness of Milos and Kafirs. The 
milos are earlier than the kafirs and so are adapted to 
the higher altitudes of the sorghum belt and to the sec- 
tions of lighter rainfall. In the Panhandle of Texas and 
the western third of both Oklahoma and Kansas, they 
mature in ninety to one hundred days. They are grown 
in New Mexico and Colorado at altitudes ranging from 



60 sorghums: sure money crops 

4,000 to 5,000 feet, but it must be remembered that at 
high altitudes the nights become quite too cool to permit 
rapid growth, thus delaying maturity. The milos are 
generally believed to be more dry weather resistant than 
the kafirs, although it is said by those of authority that 
this has not been established. 

The several commonly grown varieties of kaf ir mature 
three to four weeks later than the milos. However, the 
Federal Department of Agriculture has developed strains 
of kafir which mature about two weeks earlier than the 
ordinary kafirs and only a few days later than milo. 
The white kafir quite common in Kansas twenty years 
ago, was the latest maturing variety, and on account of 
this and other objections is not now grown to any con- 
siderable extent. The red of twenty-five years ago was 
the earliest maturing variety of kafir, but this is no 
longer in general use in Kansas. It was a lighter yielder 
under ordinary methods of farm handling and not more 
than a week earlier than the black-hulled. The red kafir 
became later as it was planted at the higher elevations 
and at the Amarillo, Texas, station it has been consistent- 
ly later than the black-hulled. Practically all the kafir 
grown throughout Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, is the 
black-hulled. It has met the approval of the farming 
public to a greater degree than have other varieties. 
The dwarf black-hulled kafir is likely to ultimately suc- 
ceed all other varieties in the sorghum belt. Its dwarf 
stature increases dry weather evasion and facilitates 
harvesting by machinery. 

Effect of Earliness and Dwarfness on Yield. The 
actual money value of early maturity in sorghum crops 
is not fully appreciated by the sorghum belt farmer. 
The advantages of dwarf stature are not fully under- 
stood, either. There is no argument so forceful as that 
afforded by the comparative yields of early maturing 
sorghums as compared with later maturing, and of the 
dwarf stature as compared with the common strains. 
That special attention should be given these two charac- 



GRAIN SORGHUMS IN GENERAL 61 

teristics seems justified in the fact that it is necessary 
for the farmer to perpetuate each to a considerable ex- 
tent by careful handling of the seed. These figures by 
Ball, agronomist in charge of grain sorghum investiga- 
tions for the Federal Department of Agriculture, are con- 
vincing on these points : 

"Milos are earlier than kafirs, but are not known to 
be more truly drought resistant. At Amarillo, Texas, 
under conditions of severe drought from the middle of 
July until October, 1909, the milos yielded on the average 
8.3 bushels and the kafirs only 5.5 bushels to the acre. 
In each crop the figures are the average of between 20 
and 30 plats and show that the difference was really in 
the earliness — and perhaps dwarfness, also — of the milos 
as compared with the kafirs, the yields in normal years 
being about equal. 

'The season of 1910 was still drier, only 10 inches 
of rain falling at Amarillo from January to October, in- 
clusive. Better yields were obtained than in 1909, how- 
ever, because the average stands were much thinner. 
Under these conditions 32 plats of milo and dwarf milo 
yielded an average of 17.9 bushels per acre, while 22 plats 
of ordinary black-hulled and red kafirs yielded only 3.7 
bushels. The difference in average yield is 14.2 bushels. 
Even if we admit that half of this difference is due to 
the dwarfer growth of the milos compared with the 
standard kafirs, we still have a gain of 7.1 bushels to 
earliness alone. 

'The relative value of earliness and dwarfness are 
further indicated in results obtained from three strains 
of black-hulled kafir. The writer has produced by selec- 
tion an early strain of the black-hulled kafir which is 
nearly two weeks earlier than the ordinary strains, al- 
though of the same height. In 1908, a favorable season, 
it yielded about 10 per cent less than the average of the 
ordinary black-hulled varieties. In 1909, however, it 
yielded 10.7 bushels to the acre, while 20 ordinary strains 
averaged only 5 bushels and the best of them yielded only 



62 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



10.9 bushels. In 1910, under the conditions described, it 
produced 7.57 bushels, compared with 2.95 bushels from 
15 standard plats. 

"Another early strain, which is also dwarf, growing 
to a height of about 4 feet, yielded in 1908 about 4.5 



ii 








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Kafir Field, Dodge City, Kansas, Branch Experiment Station, 1011. 

bushels less than the average of the ordinary taller and 
later strains. In 1909 it yielded 14.4 bushels, compared 
with 10.7 bushels from the tall but early strain and an 
average of only 5 bushels from the ordinary taller and 
later strains. In 1910 it yielded 9.28 bushels, while, as 
noted above, the tall early strain produced 7.57 bushels 
and the ordinary strains only 2.95 bushels per acre. 
These figures indicate that in 1909 about 40 per cent 
and in 1910 about 27 per cent of its increased yields were 
due to its dwarfness and 60 per cent and 73 per cent, 
respectively, to its extra earliness. 

"As previously noted, the year 1909 was marked by 
severe drought during July, August, and September, in 
the southern half of the Great Plains. At the Amarillo 
Experiment Farm, in Texas, 17 plats of milo gave an 
average yield of 6.8 bushels, and 10 plats of dwarf milo 



GRAIN SORGHUMS IN GENERAL 63 

an average yield of 11 bushels to the acre. The best plat 
of milo yielded at the rate of only 16.5 bushels, though 
in a low piece of ground, while the best dwarf milo 
yielded 23.2 bushels per acre. In 1910 there was not as 
much difference. Eight plats of milo yielded an average 
of 16.2 bushels per acre, and seven plats of dwarf milo 
yielded an average of 19.6 bushels. The advantage in 
favor of the dwarf variety seemed to be largely due to 
the smaller size of the plants and the consequent lower 
water requirement." 

Need of Pure Varieties. The advantages of pure 
varieties of sorghum crops are important. The purity 
of the seed normally indicates early maturity and dry 
weather resistance. Crops grown from seed of pure 
strains will be more uniform in stand and growth, uni- 
form in height, uniform in ripening, and the yield in 
grain and forage will be most satisfactory. More uni- 
form planting may be had by using pure strains because 
of the greater uniformity in size of seed. Such grain 
will command a better price in the seed markets. The 
sorghums are more subject to mixing by cross-fertiliza- 
tion than are most other farm crops, the pollen being 
carried by the wind from the plants of one kind of sor- 
ghum to the plants of another kind. However, mixtures 
frequently result from the carrying of a different kind of 
seed from an adjoining farm by the threshing machine 
or in wagon-boxes. Mixing by such means need not 
worry the farmer in so far as his own seed is concerned, 
for the very best method of saving seed is that of select- 
ing heads in the field and storing the seed in the head 
until planting time. 

However, cross-fertilization is difficult to control. It 
is a good plan to grow, so far as possible, only one 
variety of sorghum crop. This, however, is not in every 
case practicable. For example, if the farmer is depend- 
ing upon milo for grain, he needs some of the sweet sor- 
ghums or ''canes" for roughage, and so the two crops 
must be grown on the same farm. In such event the 



64 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

crops should be planted as far apart as possible and the 
volunteer plants of either should not be allowed to seed. 
The following of the sorghum grain crop with some other 
crop, such as wheat, oats, millet or barley, will help to 
keep the farm free from volunteer plants. It is for these 
reasons that it is advisable, so far as is possible, to make 
one kind of sorghum suffice for both roughage and grain. 
In the sections to which kafir is adapted as a grain crop, 
it will give satisfactory results when planted for forage. 
So, on a kafir farm the planting of only one variety of 
kafir is necessary for the two purposes, and the danger 
of mixing as a result of cross-fertilization is reduced to 
a minimum or is at least confined to the possibility of 
cross-fertilization by plants on adjoining farms. The 
measure of sorghum crop value depends largely upon the 
purity of the strain, and every effort should be made to 
keep the standard of purity high. 

Maximum Value in Better Methods. There is a 
feeling that sorghums will grow anywhere under any 
kind of careless treatment. True, the sorghums do grow 
under a wide range of soil and climatic conditions, but 
in the sorghum belt they will do much better in the future 
than in the past if the planting and cultivating is done 
in a more workmanlike manner and if less is left to 
chance. The sum total of the best results with sorghums 
is to be found in the best adapted pure varieties and 
better growing methods. Those things which pertain to 
better growing are preparation of land before planting, 
careful planting, the use of less seed, thorough and timely 
cultivation, and the use of a proper crop rotation, each 
of which is more fully discussed elsewhere. 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 

Since the introduction of grain sorghums their yields 
of grain and forage have been compared with corn and 
the value of sorghum crops has generally been measured 
by this comparison. Even to this date in a considerable 
portion of the sorghum belt which is not at all adapted 
to corn, farmers continue to plant corn, indicating that 
they are not informed as to the yields and income from 
sorghums as compared with corn. They seemingly fail 
to realize that the adversities of their climate are such 
as to make corn an impossible profitable crop. When 
sorghum belt farmers learn that corn thrives best in 
those sections where the summer temperatures range 
from seventy to eighty degrees Fahrenheit, they will then 
appreciate that corn farming under sorghum belt con- 
ditions is an unqualified failure. When this is realized 
they will then understand that the grain sorghums, for 
centuries grown in countries which cause the plant to 
acquire certain qualities which enable it to overcome 
prolonged dry weather and excessive heat, are the crops 
they should grow. The neglect to fully appreciate grain 
sorghum possibilities as compared with corn has cost 
Kansas and Oklahoma farmers millions of dollars year 
after year. 

Merchant Should Know Sorghum Value. The com- 
parative value of grain sorghums and corn is a matter 
on which the local seedsmen, bankers and merchants 
should fix their attention that they may become of influ- 
ence in directing the use of adapted crops through the 
cultivation of which the prosperity of their patronizing 
farmers and their locality will be increased. A dealer in 
Wallace County, Kansas, in the spring of 1913 sold sev- 
eral hundred bushels of seed of a big variety of Iowa 

65 



66 sorghums: sure money crops 

white corn to the farmers in his locality. This dealer 
perpetrated a fraud upon his neighbors — he took their 
money without giving value in return. There was no 
chance for this corn to mature grain in the county or part 
of the state in which it was planted, except in an ex- 
tremely favorable season — a longer growing season, one 
of greater rainfall and lower temperature than is com- 
mon to that section. When asked why he obtained such 
seed, he remarked that it was what his customers wanted. 




Cutting Cane Avitli Corn Sleds in Big Field in Western Oklahoma, 

1913. 

The fault I find with this seedsman is that he absolutely 
failed to advise his customers as to their needs — as to 
how they could best pay the bills they owed him. Just 
such foolish breaks as this are made every year in every 
locality, and this circumstance shows good reason why 
merchants, bankers and others should inform themselves 
agriculturally. 

Conversation with a number of those who planted 
this big white corn developed the fact that they preferred 
corn because it was readily marketable, whereas they 
thought kafir and milo were not, and the variety planted 
was a heavy yielder and would make good money if it 
gave a crop. I have no doubt these men still hold the 
same opinion in spite of the fact that in the fall of 1913 
I examined in that county several fields of milo and 
feterita which would yield twenty to thirty bushels of 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 67 

grain per acre, while corn in the county that year was 
near a total failure. This is typical of the manner in 
which the same farmers have for years past sown wheat. 
When the ground becomes warm in the spring the Plains 
farmer has a feeling that he must plant something, and 
apparently does not consider the probable results. When 
wheat seeding time comes he seeds wheat as long as 
there is land unseeded and seed to sow. This is a prin- 
ciple too long followed by too many farmers and which 
must be eliminated from the farming system. In its 
place must come a determination to plant those crops 
most certain of giving a return for the labor invested, 
and a readjustment of conditions by which the farmer 
can utilize profitably such crops as he can grow. 

Yields Inspire Confidence in Sorghums. The yields of 
both grain and forage of the sorghums are widely vary- 
ing for the same reason that the yields of corn are vary- 
ing even in the corn belt. The dry years will reduce the 
yield — often to almost nothing — while in the wet years 
they give large yields. The largest kafir yield of which 
I have a record is that of Orrin McNath, Greer County, 
Oklahoma, in 1912, which was 124.8 bushels per acre. 
The land and crop were measured by an agent of the 
Federal Department of Agriculture. This was a field 
of pure kafir, the typical high-yielding head prevailing. 
It is certain that few farmers can obtain such yields, 
but it is equally certain that for a ten-year period in any 
section of the sorghum belt the adapted grain sorghums 
will outyield corn. So, to report the grain sorghum 
yield for any section on any basis other than averages 
for a term of years, would mean little. 

The records of grain sorghum yields for the various 
states have not been standardized as in the case of corn 
and wheat. The fact is that the boards of agriculture 
of the various states have not as yet taken grain sor- 
ghums seriously. In this respect they are less appre- 
ciative of their value than are farmers, who have each 
year increased the acreage. However, such figures as 



68 



sorghums: sure money crops 



are available can have no effect other than inspiring 
confidence in grain sorghums as the most certain crops 
and would seem to justify a largely increased acreage. 
I would have it understood, though, that in my opinion 
no figures here given on grain sorghum yields as com- 
pared with corn, and no other statements contained 
herein can be of as much real value to the farmer as 





^^''^'^ -"WJ^Ptff^ 



Sorghums and Live Stock are Making Things Go on This Clark 
County, Kansas, Farm. 

those things he can observe and learn — through a pair 
of wide-open eyes and a receptive mind — as he goes about 
among his sorghum belt neighbors, noting those crops 
most successfully grown and the manner in which they 
have been utilized in a permanent farming system. 

Sorghum Area Each Year Extended. The kaf irs and 
milos are gradually extending to areas outside the sor- 
ghum belt, as previously described. The fact is that the 
sorghums are each year working their way into the corn 
belt. The acclimatization of milos to Nebraska and the 
Dakotas is making rapid headway and in these states a 
gradually increasing acreage is being planted. The use 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 



69 



of kafir as grain and forage is extending to Iowa, Mis- 
souri and Arkansas, and it is safe to forecast a con- 
stantly increasing acreage for these and other states. 
When the true value of the grain of sorghums for feeding 
is recognized, when the value of the whole plant fed as 
forage or silage is better understood, and the acre yield 
in tons is compared with corn, the feeders of live stock 
in the corn belt will become sorghum growers. 

Cane and Kafir in Missouri. In Missouri, the saccha- 
rine sorghums are principally grown for seed and syrup. 
The acreage is comparatively small, being only 19,470 
in 1912, yielding 408,870 bushels of seed with a value of 
$396,604, and 1,693,890 gallons of syrup with a value of 
$880,823, or a total value of $1,277,427 for the entire 
sorghum crop, and a value of $65.61 per acre for the 
crop. It is doubtful if the sorghum-growing lands of 
Missouri could equal this showing if planted to any other 
farm crop. 

For Missouri it is not possible to segregate the kafir 
acreage from other hay and forage crops with which it 
is classified. However, from the following table, deduc- 
tions of interest, and possibly of surprise, may be made. 
This table is compiled from the 1913 report of the Mis- 
souri State Board of Agriculture and pertains to the 
1912 crop: 





Av. 




Av. 




Section 


Price, 




Price, 


Cane Av. Price, 


OF Corn, 


Dec, 


Kafir, 


Dec, 


Seed, Dec, 


State. Bushels. 


1912. 


Bushels. 


1912. 


Bushels. 1912. 


N. E. 20 counties 34 


$0,417 


25 


$0.60 


30 $0.87 


N. W. 21 counties . . . 35.1 


.406 


22 


.60 


23 .71 


Central 21 counties. . 36 


.436 


21 


.90 


20 .95 


S. W. 23 counties . . . 24.5 


.457 


24 


.65 


21 1.05 


S. E. 29 counties 29 


.466 


45 


.97 


12 1.28 


State 31.9 


.43 


27.4 


.74 


21.2 .97 


Average acre value . Corn, 


,$13.72 


Kafir, $20.28 


Cane, $20.56 



The yield of sorghum seed per acre would indicate a 
large acre tonnage, possibly 15 to 18 tons, and points 
the live stock feeder of that state to the possibilities in 
growing sorghums for silage. The attention of Missou- 



70 



sorghums: sure money crops 



rians is called to a later chapter setting forth the feed- 
ing results obtained from sorghum silage as compared 
with corn. 

It is worthy of note, too, that the acre value of cane 
seed exceeds the acre value of corn by $6.84, also the acre 
value of the grain of kaf ir exceeds the acre value of corn 




Grain Sorghum Fed Hogs of Decatur County, Kansas, Grazing while 
Awaiting Shipment. — City of Oberlin in Background. 

$6.56. It is apparent that local conditions governed the 
price of seed entering into the above figures for both 
cane and kafir. It should be observed that in the twenty- 
nine southeastern counties kafir outyielded corn 16 bush- 
els per acre, and that in the twenty-three southwestern 
counties, just across the line from Kansas, kafir yielded 
within one-half bushel as much grain per acre as corn. 

A comparison of the grain yield of kafir with corn and 
the known heavier forage tonnage of kafir as compared 
with corn, will give the feeder a good idea of the relative 
merits of the two crops in live stock farming. Beyond 
doubt there are lands in Missouri on which it will pay 
better to grow kafir and cane than it will to grow corn. 

Nebraska Growing Kafir and Cane. The cane crop 
is of annually increasing importance in Nebraska. Every 
county in the state, except two, report some acreage in 
1913, the greater acreage being in the western section of 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 71 

the state. The crop is used principally for forage and is 
fed out of the shock. 

The following table compiled from the report of the 
Nebraska State Board of Agriculture, gives the only 
obtainable essential facts regarding cane production in 
that state: 

Acre Yield, Acre 
Year. Acreage. Tons Forage. Value. 

1913 126,050 2.1 $12.57 

1912 112,171 3.12 24.97 

1911 90,673 2.51 20.09 

1910 73,654 2.36 

1909 70,403 2.89 

1908 67,850 3.09 

The acre value given above is figured on the basis of 
$6 per ton. This is a higher value than is usually placed 
on cane forage, but the Nebraska Board of Agriculture 
has for three successive years placed that value thereon. 
For the period 1908-1910 no value is reported in the 
board's figures. 

Kafir is as yet a crop of small acreages in Nebraska, 
although the acreage is rapidly increasing. The total 
kafir acreages for four years as shown by the report of 
the State Board of Agriculture, are as follows: 1910 
9,282; 1911, 11,021; 1912, 22,014; 1913, 23,174. There 
are only five counties in Nebraska having a thousand 
acres or more of kafir. These are Furnas, with 4,517 
acres; Harlan, with 2,281 acres — these counties lie re- 
spectively just north of Norton and Phillips counties in; 
Kansas. Frontier County has 2,492 acres, and Red Wil-= 
low 3,267 acres, and these lie north of Decatur in Kan- 
sas. Thayer County has 1,142 acres, and lies just over 
the line from Republic County in Kansas. There are 
nine counties which report no kafir in 1913. Kafir is 
grown in Nebraska principally for its forage. The Board 
of Agriculture places no acre value on kafir either for 
grain or forage, but it would be safe to give kafir forage 
a value equal to that given the forage of cane. 



72 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

The above figures will give the reader some idea of 
the extent to which kafir and cane are grown in Ne- 
braska and are adapted to the use of the farmer of that 
state. The average yield of cane for the six-year period, 
as shown in the table above, gives a good idea as to what 
can be expected of that crop for roughage when grown 
in the western half of Nebraska, a section not at all 
adapted to corn except as the acreage may be confined 
to the bottom lands. For the yields of silage per acre, 
multiply the average acre yields, shown in the cane table, 
by three, showing that for silage the yields for a six-year 
period would run from 6.3 tons to 9.36 tons per acre. 
As the use of the silo is extended in Nebraska and to 
the western section of the state in particular, there can 
be no doubt but that kafir and cane will be extensively 
grown for silage and will be relied upon as the principal 
forage crops. The Nebraska reader's attention is called 
to the use of these crops for silage as shown in a follow- 
ing chapter. The Nebraska figures fail to recognize 
milo, although plantings of acclimated seed are matur- 
ing crops in nearly every Western Nebraska county from 
the southern to the northern boundary of the state. 

Nebraska Experiment Station on the Sorghums. An 
appreciation of kafir, cane and milo, is given in Bulletin 
No. 135 of the Nebraska Experiment Station, and is the 
result of observation and investigation made at the ex- 
perimental sub-station at North Platte. It is: 

''Our experiments during eight years confirm our be- 
lief that cane (sorghum) is the chief forage plant where 
alfalfa cannot be grown successfully. In 1911, when 
spring small grain was an entire failure, and when 50 
acres of corn was put into a 130-ton silo, a ten-acre field 
of cane following oats gave eleven tons of forage. The 
average yield during the last eight years has been four 
tons per acre. In experiments in wintering cattle, the 
cane proved to be worth fully as much per ton as a good 
quality of Platte Valley prairie hay. The Early Black 
Amber is one of the best varieties, and matures here. 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 73 

''Kafir is a very good forage, probably fully as valu- 
able per ton as cane. It is usually grown in rows, though 
it does well seeded thickly. The chief objection to rais- 
ing it is that it does not mature seed this far north and 
the seed shipped in is often low in its germinating power. 
It is hoped that the date of maturing may become earlier 
when it is selected with this purpose in view, but thus 
far there has been but little kafir seed produced on the 
sub-station farm. 

''Milo has been grown in tests with cane and kafir, but 
does not have nearly the feeding value of either of the 
other two. The seed, however, is valuable as a grain 
for feeding stock. This character of the plant is being 
developed with the idea that it may take the place of 
corn in the extreme western part of the state." 

In the first sentence in the above paragraph the 
author undoubtedly refers to the feeding value of the 
forage of milo as compared with that of kafir and cane. 

Kafir and Milo in Colorado. There are no figures 
showing acreages or yields of kafir, milo or cane for Col- 
orado. I have, however, traveled throughout that por- 
tion of Colorado east of the Rocky Mountains, and as a 
result of this personal observation and contact with 
farmers, together with letters received from many Col- 
orado settlers, I am convinced that the grain sorghums 
will meet the need for grain and forage crops in Eastern 
Colorado. On those farms on which cows are milked or 
other live stock is kept, milo and feterita for grain and 
kafir and cane for forage, are now and have for years 
been the dependable crops. 

Acclimated milo matures in Colorado east of the moun- 
tains from the south to the north line of the state. Upon 
the Arkansas Divide the maturity of milo for grain is un- 
certain. This divide reaches its highest altitude in Elbert 
and El Paso counties and is that part of the Eastern 
Colorado plains the waters of which flow east and south 
to the Arkansas River, and east and north to the Platte. 
The altitude of this divide is so great as to make the 



74 sorghums: sure money crops 

growing season too cool and short for milo maturity in 
other than exceptional seasons. "Milo should have thfe 
same place as a feed grain in dry land farming in East- 
ern Colorado that corn has in Iowa and Illinois," was the 
gospel preached by H. M. Cottrell, the Director of Exten- 
sion of the Colorado Experiment Station, some five or 
six years ago. 

Kafir in Colorado is sure of maturity only in Baca 
County, which is the southeastern county of the state. 
However, it usually matures seed in all of the Arkansas 
Valley. It supplies forage in good quantities for hay 
and silage throughout the eastern slope. Cane produces 
forage and silage east of the Rocky Mountains, and kafir 
and cane drilled reasonably thick in rows three to three 
and one-half feet apart, will yield silage or a fine quality 
of forage in profitable quantities most years if proper 
planting and soil cultural methods are followed. 

In the lower altitude fruit districts around Grand 
Junction and Montrose, kafir and milo mature grain and 
promise much for the further prosperous development 
of these sections. 

This statement is from a bulletin of the Colorado 
Experiment Station: ''Milo will yield more grain per 
acre than corn in most of the Eastern Colorado plains." 
The corn to which reference is made is a native variety. 
It is an early maturing, dwarf corn, rarely growing 
higher than four feet and ears eighteen inches to two 
feet above the ground. The ear is small, usually solid, 
but in a dry year is wormy and poor feed. The yield 
ranges from nothing, some years, to as much as thirty 
bushels per acre in the most favorable seasons. This 
corn is the only competition milo has on the Eastern 
Colorado slope and, in reality, is not a competitor except 
that it produces a more palatable forage, but usually less 
acre tonnage than milo. The forage of milo is used in 
Colorado for horses, cattle and sheep, and is relished by 
these animals. It is not amiss to here state that the seed 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 75 

of kafir, milo and feterita planted in Colorado should be 
home-grown if best results would be obtained. 

Colorado Station Reports Sorghum Areas. The fol- 
lowing statement by Alvin Keyser, agronomist of the 
Colorado Experiment Station, sets forth the specific 
localities adapted to kafir and milo. ''Kafir and milo 
are not uniformly adapted to Eastern Colorado. In the 
extreme southern part of the state along the Arkansas 
Valley and in the east central part at altitudes not 
greater than 5,000 feet, these crops are adapted for grain 
and forage. They will grow occasionally at higher alti- 
tudes, but are not uniformly successful, as the seasons 
are too short and too cool for their best development. 
They are not uniformly successful in the northern part 
of the state. In other words, the section where these 
crops are adapted is limited to Baca, Las Animas, Pueblo, 
Otero, Crowley, Bent, Powers, Kiowa, Cheyenne, Kit 
Carson, a portion of the southern part of Luma and 
Washington counties, and a portion of the southern part 
of Lincoln County. There are some localities at other 
points in our plains region where these crops do well, 
but for the most part in the remaining counties of the 
plains the seasons are too short and the nights too cool 
to permit development for other purposes than forage. 
Seed will frequently not ripen even with milo, which is 
the earlier maturing of the two crops." 

Grain Sorghums Yield Double Corn. A Limon, Col- 
orado, reader wrote Kansas Farmer in November, 1912 : 
"Last spring we planted four varieties of grain sorghums 
and five varieties of corn. All received as good culture 
as could be given. The past season has been one of the 
best this country has ever had. The corn shows small 
yield of grain, none of the varieties yielding more than 
ten bushels per acre. Each variety of corn was supposed 
to be adapted to this climate and soil. The grain sor- 
ghums are all showing good yields. The lowest yielding 
variety will make more than double the amount of grain 



76 sorghums: sure money crops 

which the best variety of corn will give and all sorghums 
have far exceeded the corn in quantity of fodder." 

Grain Sorghums in the Panhandle. For the Panhan- 
dle of Texas corn is not to be considered as a grain or 
forage crop when compared with the grain sorghums. 
It has proven the poorest grain crop of the Panhandle. 
When corn does give a fair yield the grain is so badly 




Red Polled Cattle, Sorghums and Intelligent Effort Made This 
Comfortable Farm Home in Phillips County, Kansas. 

worm-eaten that it has no value except for hog feed. The 
grain sorghums, however, are so well adapted and are 
such profitable substitutes for all purposes that there 
is no reason why the Panhandle farmer should attempt 
corn-growing. The Panhandle includes 47 counties in 
Northwest Texas, the elevation ranging from 2,000 to 
4,000 feet. The annual precipitation varies from eigh- 
teen to twenty-three inches, the greater part of which 
falls during the spring and early summer months. 
Throughout this section the evaporation is great, the 
mid-day temperatures high, and the nights relatively 
cool. It is in this part of Texas that the Federal Depart- 
ment of Agriculture is doing its most important work 
in the selection and development of improved kafirs, 
durras and milos. 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 77 

Experiments during 1903 to 1906 at Channing, Hart- 
ley County, are reported in Federal Bureau of Plant 
Industry Bulletin No. 283, as follows : "In a test of many 
varieties of corn the average yield of the best variety in 
a three-year period was less than 40 per cent of the yield 
of milo. Milo and kafir prove good yielders of grain, the 
three-year average yield of milo being 42 bushels." 

In the same bulletin are reported trials at Amarillo, 
beginning with the year 1905, as follows: "The results 
in tests of corn during the six-year period show it not 
to be adapted to the Panhandle country. The best vari- 
ety, a June corn, yielded 11.8 bushels and only three 
varieties exceeded eight bushels per acre on an average 
during that time. Omitting the results of one season, a 
locally-grown red dent has yielded slightly better than 
the June corn. 

"The grain sorghums are the most dependable crop 
that can be grown in the Panhandle. In the five years, 
1907 to 1911, inclusive, the average yields of all varieties 
of milo were 23.5 bushels, while all varieties of dwarf 
milo in the last four years of this period yielded an aver- 
age of 27.8 bushels. Black-hulled and red kafir made an 
average yield of 20 bushels in the six-year period, 1906 
to 1911, excluding 1907 in the case of red kafir. Varie- 
ties of durra and kaoliang also made good yields. About 
three pounds per acre is the proper rate of planting, and 
the best date in the vicinity of Amarillo is about May 20, 
varying, however, with the season." 

Experiments at Dalhart reported in the same bulletin 
are summarized as follows: "Grain sorghums such as 
milo, dwarf milo and black-hulled kafir have given 
profitable yields at Dalhart, although not so high as at 
Amarillo." 

Numerous tests and observations at Chillicothe, in 
Hardeman County, east of the Panhandle proper, at an 
elevation of 1,500 feet and having an average rainfall of 
twenty-three inches, are summarized in the above bul- 
letin as follows: "The grain sorghums are important 



78 sorghums: sure money crops 

and completely adapted crops, milo, dwarf milo and 
black-hulled kafir being largely and profitably grown." 

The reader should keep in mind that in Western Texas 
are the same variations in rainfall, altitude, and the same 
moisture-dissipating forces as exist in Western Oklahoma 
and Western Kansas, but that the growing season is 
longer. However, the rainfall occurs in the early part 
of the growing season, the latter part being dry, and 
there is the same necessity for early-maturing crops as 
in the western section of Kansas and Oklahoma, and 
farm practice has established the early-maturing varie- 
ties as the best yielders. 

It should not be inferred that the value of the grain 
sorghums for Texas is confined to the Panhandle. They 
may be grown with as much profit and assurance east 
of the Panhandle country as in those parts of Kansas 
and Oklahoma lying east of the 98th meridian. In Texas, 
as in Kansas and Oklahoma, the general use of grain 
sorghum crops and the growing of live stock is being 
urged upon the farmer. 

Kansan's View of Texas Kafir Growing. The staked 
plains of the Southwest are sure enough ''carrying coals 
to Newcastle," when, as we know, they are supplying 
the most fertile sections of Texas and other parts of the 
South, with grain. In March of 1912, a farmer of Sher- 
idan County, Kansas, wrote in Kansas Farmer: 

''I have returned from the Panhandle of Texas a firm 
believer in the value of kafir as a forage and grain crop 
for the western half of Kansas. While in the Panhandle 
I saw carload after carload of kafir being shipped to the 
coast and river sections of that state — the black land of 
Texas which would grow corn if they would give it a 
chance. Think of it! The staked plains growing more 
grain than it needs and feeding the mules of the farmers 
on the black rich lands. If kafir will grow on the plains 
of Texas, it will do much better in Sheridan County, 
Kansas, if we give it a chance." 

Grain Sorghums in Oklahoma. Although Oklahoma 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 



79 



is second — ranking next to Kansas — in kafir production, 
the figures regarding acreages, yields, value, etc., must 
be taken from scattering sources. The State Board of 
Agriculture does not have figures of value in determin- 
ing the acre yield in bushels because that acreage planted 
in season for grain is not reported separately from that 
grown only for forage. In Oklahoma much kafir is 
planted as late as the middle of July and from which a 
grain crop is not expected. This acreage is included in 
the table below and makes the acre yield of grain cor- 
respondingly low. This table is compiled from the 
board's report: 

Average 
Yield in Acre Yield 
Year. Acreage. Bushels. in Bushels. 

1911 606,462 8,106,991 13.37 

1910 454,146 4,530,086 9.97 

1909 482,214 2,255,470 4.67 

1908 400,047 3,708,177 9.26 

1907 317,405 5,000,237 15.75 

In 1913 the Oklahoma kafir acreage was near a mil- 
lion, that state producing much more kafir grain in that 
year than did Kansas, because of generally better selected 
seed and timely rains in advance of killing frosts. 

Even though a tremendous kafir acreage planted late 
and for forage only and which produces little or no grain, 
is taken into account in the figures above and the acre 
yield thereby greatly reduced, the yield of kafir does not 
suffer seriously in comparison with corn as shown by 
this table compiled from the United States census and 
showing corn acreages and yields for five years: 

Bushels 
Year Acreage Per Acre 

1913 4,750,000 11.0 

1912 5,448,000 18.7 

1911 5,675,000 6.5 

1910 5,735,000 16.0 

1909 5,914,069 15.9 



80 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



It is certain that the corn of Oklahoma is grown on 
the best lands of the state under the heaviest rainfall. 
The product of such land enters into the corn yields 
shown above in a much greater proportion than in the 
kafir table next above printed. When the best lands 
and the heaviest rainfall are compared with the poorest 




Sheep Do Well in the Sorghum Belt and Deserve the Farmer's 
Patronage. — The Choice Few Shown in the Picture were on a 
Russell County, Kansas. Farm. 



lands and lightest rainfall, the kafir yield, in spite of the 
Oklahoma Board of Agriculture's way of compiling sta- 
tistics, makes a favorable showing. At any rate it is 
doubtful if any profit can be figured from such corn 
yields. 

For 1912 the Oklahoma demonstration farms of the 
Federal Department of Agriculture, and which are lo- 
cated in twenty-seven counties, report the yield of kafir 
on those farms as 32.7 bushels per acre, and of corn 23.3 
bushels, or 40 per cent in favor of kafir. 

At the Stillwater, Oklahoma, Agricultural Experiment 
Station, the average yield of corn from 1900 to 1903, 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 81 

was 11.2 bushels and of kafir 27.02, or 141 per cent in 
favor of kafir. In 1911 at the same station corn yielded 
nothing, milo 39 bushels per acre, red kafir 42 bushels,, 
and black-hulled 56 bushels. 

I had hoped to be able to obtain figures from the Pan- 
handle School of Agriculture at Goodwell, Oklahoma, lo- 
cated in the extreme western county of Oklahoma and 
adjoining Morton, the southwest county of Kansas. This 
institution was only recently established and its organi- 
zation for work in field crops is not yet perfected. 
However, the president, S. W. Black, wrote: 

''Our elevation is 3,300 feet, our annual precipitation 
is between 16 and 19 inches, for which reason we have 
not succeeded in raising much corn at this station. Our 
average yield of corn would be very low. Within the 
last three years we have tried out over 60 varieties of 
corn, many of which did not produce ears at all. The 
best yield of corn we have had was 34 bushels per acre. 
It was badly worm-eaten and while the fodder was very- 
good, it was a very poor yield. We have grown as high 
as 72 bushels of white milo to the acre. That same sea- 
son we grew 66 bushels of brown milo and about the 
same number of bushels of dwarf black-hulled kafir." 

The actual feeding value of an acre of kafir and of 
corn — and that should be the measure of value for all 
good farmers — could not be better shown than by the 
following tables taken from the 1910-1911 report of the 
Stillwater, Oklahoma, station. These crops were grown 
on unmanured, medium upland soil: 

kafir per acre. 

Pounds Pounds 

Year of Stover of Grain 

1900 4,600 1,744 

1901 4,230 1,506 

1902 4,500 1,154 

1903 4,360 1,620 

Average for four years 4,422 1,506 



82 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



corn per acre. 

Pounds 
Year of Stover 

1900 3,260 

1901 1,380 

1902 1,424 

1903 1,740 

Average for four years 1,951 



Pounds 

OF Grain 

1,063 

5 

1,440 

979 



872 




When in Shock This Graham County, Kansas, Wheat Fiehl Indicated 
a Yield of at Least 15 Bushels per Acre. — The Land Was Sum- 
mer Fallowed and This Was the Only Field of Wheat in the 
Neighborhood Harvested in 1913. 

*'In reviewing these figures," says the report, '*it will 
be seen that corn was a complete failure during the sea- 
son of 1901 from the standpoint of grain production, 
while kafir gave very fair returns. Again, taking the 
yields which are given for corn for four consecutive 
years, wide variations are apparent both in yield of grain 
and in yield of stover. With kafir, however, the results 
are quite uniform throughout the entire period. The 
average yield of kafir for the four years was 634 pounds 
per acre in advance of the average yield made by the 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 83 

corn. The difference in the average amount of stover 
produced by these two crops was 2,471 pounds in favor 
of kafir. 

'This study brings two important facts to our atten- 
tion. First, kafir has given fair yields under unfavor- 
able conditions, and for upland types of soil may be de- 
pended upon to give better results than corn. Second, 
the hot, dry weather which occurs about the time that 
corn is tasseling is very detrimental to the process of 
fertilization. This in part is an explanation for the ex- 
ceedingly low yields reported for corn during certain 
seasons." 

While kafir is the big grain sorghum crop of Oklaho- 
ma, milo is each year increasing in importance. With 
Oklahoma it is only a question as to the area to which 
it is better adapted than kafir. In the extreme West and 
Southwest, in the area of proven adaptability for milo, 
the cultivation of corn is not to be considered from a 
financial point of view. Since the forage of milo is not 
so valuable as that of either kafir or cane, the latter 
two should be grown for silage or forage in the sections 
in which milo is grown for grain. Fortunately, kafir and 
cane make good forage crops in all parts of Oklahoma 
and the live stock-keeping farmer can, if he will, have 
*'sure feed crops" for both grain and forage. 

Why Oklahomans Should Plant Kafir. Johns Fields, 
editor of the Oklahoma Farm Journal, has spent his life 
in an endeavor to induce Oklahoma farmers to place 
their trust in kafir. In 1899 he wrote: 

"Corn or kafir, which? It depends upon where and 
for what purpose the grain is to be grown. On bottom 
land when the crop is to be sold as soon as matured, plant 
corn. It is always a marketable article at some price, 
depending usually on the volume of the local supply. If 
the grain is to be fed to stock, it would seem advisable 
to replace a portion of the corn by kafir, especially for 
the large amount of rough forage which the latter af- 
fords. On upland, corn is not a sure crop while kafir 



84 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



has not yet, even in the driest seasons, failed to yield 
well. In 1897, when dry weather, high temperature, and 
hot winds affected the corn so that no well-developed 
ears were produced, kafir planted alongside yielded from 
25 to 53 bushels of grain per acre. In 1898 when corn 
did well, kafir surpassed it on upland, one plat yielding 



' 








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:aj}ur- •■•^ f ^"'i 


HhR 


|K^^ 




"!!1iift'--~^^ 


llililliiP^ 


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Registered Red Polled Cattle are Bred on This 420 -Acre Farm in 
Ness County, Kansas. — These Buildings Would Do Credit to Any 
Corn Belt Farm. 

at the rate of 102 bushels of kafir per acre. On bottom 
land, plant corn or kafir; on upland, plant kafir." 

Fourteen years later I asked if he still stood on the 
above quoted statement, and he replied: 

"It was true then, has been true ever since, and it is 
true now. That is a characteristic of real facts about 
agriculture, or anything else. The only modification 
necessary to bring this statement strictly down to date 
is that in the twelve years since it was written, the 
market for kafir has developed until it sells for as much 
as corn and sometimes more." 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 85 

Kafir Pays Rent in Oklahoma. The value of kafir 
as a sure grain crop and for the production of forage 
necessary for the farm live stock, and the extent to 
which it can be depended upon by the farmer as well 
as by the creditor who must look out for his security, 
is well shown by the action of a farm loan company 
which has done business in Kansas since 1881 and in 
Oklahoma since 1889 and which company writes that it 
has adopted the following plan: 

''We have for three years been refusing to lease land 
under our charge to a tenant who will not put at least 
one-half of the land intended for corn, to kafir, the 
black-hulled variety being preferred. On one farm, Kay 
County, Central Oklahoma, the tenant had in 1911 one 
hundred twenty acres of corn which made thirty bushels 
to the acre. On this same farm were one hundred acres 
of kafir which made sixty bushels to the acre. The land 
was of the same quality. We write it in the lease that 
the tenant shall plant as much kafir as he plants of corn." 

Kafir and Milo in Iowa. In 1910 kafir was grown 
on sixty-six farms in Iowa. The total acreage was 142, 
yielding 3,081 bushels, and valued at $2,083. The aver- 
age yield was 21.7 bushels per acre, and the average 
acre value $14.66. The average acre value of corn for 
Iowa that year was $18.16. Later reports made by the 
State Department of Agriculture reveal that milo has 
been added to the farm crops of that state. The depart- 
ment's figures include kafir and milo with other miscel- 
laneous crops, and it is impossible at present to make 
an individual showing for either. However, the facts 
are that the Iowa farmer is finding the grain sorghums, 
as well as the canes, of value in his feeding operations, 
and it is reasonable to expect that the sorghum acreage 
will be increased. 

Kansas Grain Sorghum Growing. Since the intro- 
duction of grain sorghums into the United States, Kan- 
sas has led all other states in the acreage planted and 
in crop value. It was in 1893 that the Kansas State 



86 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

Board of Agriculture first took official notice of grain 
sorghums and included in its statistical report figures 
showing the extent to which kafir, milo, and ''Jerusalem 
corn" were then grown. In that year the kafir acreage 
was 46,911, with a value of $450,903; milo acreage, 14,- 
004, value $121,331; ''Jerusalem Corn" acreage, 17,027, 
value $80,886. Thus in 1893 the first grain sorghum 
acreage officially reported was 77,942 and the value 
thereof $653,120. These figures were compiled under 
the supervision of Martin Mohler, then secretary of the 
board. Twenty years later, in 1913, the acreage of kafir 
had increased to 1,403,731, with a value of $12,324,131 ; 
milo 229,534 acres, value $1,189,643; and the Jerusalem 
corn had decreased to 4,434 acres, with a value of $23,- 
737. Therefore, in 1913 there was grown a total acreage 
of grain sorghums amounting to 1,637,699, with a total 
value of $13,537,511. However, the largest kafir and 
milo acreage during the period was that of 1912 in which 
there were harvested 1,605,725 acres having a value of 
$21,935,959. During this time the corn acreage held 
about stationary, being 6,172,462 in 1893 and 6,655,023 
in 1913, although for several years during the period the 
corn acreage. planted was in excess of eight million. 

In Kansas the grain sorghums have not failed to pro- 
duce at least a fair forage crop. There have been years 
when the grain crop was almost a failure, but probably 
no other year in which the failure was so near complete 
as in 1913. Even in that year there were occasional good 
yields of grain sorghums in every county in which they 
were planted. The performance of the grain sorghums 
in Kansas indicates that the individual grower is more 
responsible for poor crops than have been any seasonal 
conditions yet experienced. In other words, a near fail- 
ure of a grain crop of the sorghums is the result of care- 
less farming to a greater extent than of seasonal condi- 
tions, barring, of course, injury to the crop by hail or 
insects. The same thing is true in the case of corn — in 
a lesser degree, however. Figures which are later sub- 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 87 

mitted give proof of this statement. The experience and 
observation of the wide-awake farmer will establish this 
claim to his satisfaction. A farming residence of thirty 
years within the state, with an opportunity for wide 
observation of sorghum and corn-growing conditions, 
gives all the proof I require. 

A careful review of the later figures will reveal that 
there has been no year in the past thirteen when the 
farmers of Kansas could not have grown the roughage 
necessary to carry their live stock through the feeding 
season. The sorghum acreage has not every year been 
sufficient to supply ample of the necessary roughage, but 
this has been the fault of the grower and not of the crop. 
In the years 1901, 1911 and 1913, the poorest corn years 
Kansas has experienced in the past thirteen — 1901 and 
1913 probably being the poorest corn years in the his- 
tory of the state — the roughage of sorghums saved the 
day for Kansas stockmen. The keeping of live stock on 
every farm is regarded as essential and it is certain that 
this cannot be accomplished at greatest profit without 
the most certain feed supply; the sorghums are those 
crops which will most surely provide such supply. The 
reason kafir yielded forage in fair quantities and matured 
grain in some fields in every county in which it was 
planted in those years when corn failed, was because of 
its ability to survive the severe dry and hot weather and 
await the late rains, after which it grew until killing 
frosts. A plant possessing such characteristics deserves 
the appreciation and the patronage of every farmer who 
would have an assured feed supply and a sufficient acre- 
age of such should be planted each year to insure that 
supply. 

In Kansas the value of the crop can be greatly increased 
by the use of pure seed of the several strains, by thinner 
planting, better cultivation, and all-around more thought- 
ful handling. The farmers of Kansas, and in fact of the 
entire sorghum belt, are just now entering upon the era 
of grain sorghum usefulness. There is probably still 



88 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



much to learn regarding sorghum growing and it is cer- 
tain that much of what is now known must yet be put 
into practice. Corn will always be an important crop in 
Kansas, but it is not a sufficiently certain crop throughout 
the state to justify the live stock-keeping farmer wholly 




The Milking of About Thirteen Cows the Year Around Is Giving This 
Meade County, Kansas, Farm an Income of About $55 per Month, 
) — The Owner Is Each Year Selling a Few Hogs, and Cattle and 
'Wheat Besides. 

depending upon it for grain or forage. The use of grain 
sorghums to the point of growing the necessary feed for 
such stock as the Kansas farmer can and should keep, 
will greatly increase the prosperity and permanency of 
Kansas farming. 

Kansas Station Kafir and Corn Yields. The only ob- 
tainable complete farm record of Kansas corn and kafir 
yields for a period of years is that of the Manhattan, 
Kansas, Agricultural Experiment Station. During eleven 
years — 1889 to 1899, inclusive — the average acre yield 
of kafir at that station was 46 bushels, and of corn 34.5 
bushels. The highest yield was 98 bushels of kafir and 
74 bushels of corn. Only one year of the period was 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 



89 



regarded as a grain failure for both. In that year corn 
produced only a ton of forage per acre, while kafir pro- 
duced two and one-half tons. Note this yield of kafir 
forage. 

The station record for 1900 to 1902, inclusive, is not 
obtainable. The record of black-hulled kafir and Kan- 
sas Sunflower corn for ten years, 1903 to 1912, inclusive, 
is as follows: 

Bushel Yield Bushel Yield 

Year. Kafir. Corn. 

1903 39.8 70.09 

1904 38.48 47.64 

1905 68.08 47.09 

1906 59.93 86.20 

1907 47.56 54.01 

1908 46.65 58.03 

1909 42.62 52.99 

1910 60. *20. 

1911 30. 30. 

1912 71.3 69.2 

Average 50.44 bushels 53.52 bushels 



*The best yield of corn in 1910 was Hildreth, 42 bushels. 

It will be observed that for the 1903-1912 period the 
average corn yield is three bushels in excess of the aver- 
age kafir yield, as compared with an average yield of 
kafir of 11.5 bushels in excess of corn for the 1889-1899 
period. Inquiry as to the probable cause for the better 
showing for corn, as compared with kafir in the latter 
period, brought this explanation from A. H. Leidigh, 
assistant professor in crops: "In the period 1889 to 
1899, we had weather very unfavorable for the produc- 
tion of corn, when you consider these years on the aver- 
age. Our experiments at that time were being conducted 
on land not very suitable to corn production. In the 
period 1903 to 1912, we had seasons extremely favorable 
to corn with the exception of the last three years. The 



90 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

soil used was much more adapted to the crop than that 
which had been used in the former ten-year period. In 
the period from 1903 to 1909 there was practically no 
loss from chinch bugs, and very little loss in 1910, 1911 
and 1912, whereas in the former ten-year period the losses 
had been heavy. The chinch bug losses in that period 
affected the corn more than the kafir." 




The Sorghum Belt Grows Mules, Too. — They Grow and Fatten on 
the Buffalo Grass and the Sorghums and Never Fail to Make 
Money for the Man Who Grows Them. — These Are the Product 
of Western Kansas. 

I would have the reader note from Mr. Leidigh's state- 
ment that the results for the first period of ten years, 
during which time the kafir average exceeded the corn 
average 11.5 bushels, were obtained, first, during years 
unfavorable to corn ; second, on land not adapted to corn ; 
and third, that kafir withstood the ravages of the chinch 
bug more successfully than did corn. Each of these three 
points is worthy of consideration by every farmer who 
does not have "corn land under a corn sky." In these 
points lies the reason why more kafir should be grown 
on every Kansas farm. It is certain that the average 
of much of the land planted to corn in Kansas is not as 
good corn land as that on which the corn on the Manhat- 
tan Station farm was grown, also that it is impossible 
to know which are to be the good corn years and which 
the poor, and that the chinch bug will for all time do 
more or less damage. 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 91 

Mr. Leidigh continues: *'In the period from 1903 to 
1912, with the exception of 1910 to 1912, the cultivation, 
care, and general conditions were more favorable to corn 
than to kafir, whereas in the first named period the 
general supposition is that the crops were more nearly 
on an even footing." Here is a point worth noting. In 
the period in which kafir outyielded corn 11.5 bushels 
per acre, ''the crops were more nearly on an even foot- 
ing" than during the later period when the yields were 
near equal. In this point is involved the difficulty of a 
fair comparison of kafir with corn, because in general 
practice the corn is grown on the best lands, is more 
carefully planted and better cultivated. 

I asked if the corn grown in the last ten-year period 
was not better adapted to the conditions existing at 
Manhattan than the corn grown in comparison with kafir 
in the first named period, and Mr. Leidigh replied: "I 
believe there is some ground for the supposition that the 
corn yields in the last period are comparatively high 
because of more adapted strains of corn. The yields 
given for the first period were in some cases for varieties 
which we later found to be unsuited for our conditions." 

Attention is directed to that part of the table showing 
the acre yield for the 1903-1912 period. Therein is a 
pointer for corn growers, showing the need of better 
corn-growing methods. It will be worth while for Kan- 
sas corn growers to check their corn yields for those 
years with those of the station farm. Many will note 
that their yields have been much lower than the yields 
reported, and it is fair to assume that the difference can 
be largely eliminated. Much of the corn grown in Kan- 
sas is of varieties not well adapted to the conditions of 
soil and climate, and much of it is of low yielding strains 
or varieties. There is need for a revival of interest in 
corn growing. It is certain that not only increased 
yields but a greater crop assurance can be had through 
the use of better seed, proven adapted varieties, better 
planting and cultural methods. 



92 sorghums: sure money crops 

The reader should study the above table carefully. Its 
teachings are significant. It is recorded that for ten 
years, a period as favorable as we have any reason to 
expect for corn or other crops, the yield of black-hulled 
kafir is only three bushels less than that of adapted 
strains of corn. When the uncertainty of the seasons is 
taken into consideration and the superiority of kafir as 
evidenced in the unfavorable years of 1910 and 1911, the 
use of kafir for grain and forage is much more certain 
than that of corn. The table takes cognizance only of 
the grain yield of the two crops. The yield of stover is 
not considered. It is well known, however, that most 
years — favorable as well as unfavorable — the forage 
yield of kafir is considerably in excess of corn, and this 
is important from the viewpoint of the live stock farmer. 

Kansas Station Yields for 1913. Interest will natur- 
ally follow the performance of kafir and other sorghums 
in the year 1913. The adversity of such crop growing 
season will long be remembered by farmers who were 
poorly prepared for such year. Accurate comparative 
forage yields for 1913 can be obtained only from the 
Manhattan, Kansas, Experiment Station and branch sta- 
tions. I have heard and expect to continue to hear the 
experiment station records criticised. But tell me, if you 
will, where comparative yields of grain or forage of any 
crop for any considerable period can be obtained except 
from such sources. I have been unable to find a farmer 
in Kansas who could give such figures. Because the 
figures cannot elsewhere be had, is the reason so many 
experiment station figures are here used. 

At the Manhattan Station all the corn and kafir grown 
in 1913 was cut for silage. The following figures are 
the acre ton yields of silage from fields planted on second 
bottom land: Corn, 4 tons; black-hulled kafir, 5.3; 
and Orange cane, 10.4. 

At the branch station at Dodge City corn and kafir 
both failed to yield grain. The following yields are of 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 93 

cured forage : Corn, failure ; kaf ir, nine-tenths ton ; cane, 
one ton. 

Corn was hailed out at the Garden City Branch Sta- 
tion. The yield of cured forage of kafir was twenty-four 
hundredths of a ton, and of milo twenty hundredths. 

At the Hays Branch Station corn was a failure, but 
kafir yielded 3.5 tons of silage per acre. 

The Tribune Branch Station reports yields of grains. 
Local showers fell there during the growing season. The 
tons given in the table below are for dry forage: 

Forage Grain 

Corn 5 ton 2 bushels 

Kafir 3.0 tons 12 bushels 

Cane 1.5 tons 18 bushels 

Milo 8 ton 5 bushels 

The cane reported above was Freed sorghum, regard- 
ing which B. S. Wilson, assistant in co-operative experi- 
ments for the Manhattan Station, says : "This is a light 
forage producer and is especially adapted for seed pro- 
duction in Western Kansas." 

Special note should be taken of the silage yield for 
1913 at the Manhattan and Hays stations. These should 
be encouraging to the silo user and should encourage the 
farmer without a silo to construct one or more as a 
means of saving all of the plant with its highest feeding 
value. With a yield of 3.5 tons of kafir silage at Hays 
and 5.3 tons at Manhattan, in a season such as 1913, it 
would seem that there is no good reason for a shortage 
of roughage any year. It should be remembered, too, 
that in each instance the yield reported is for a large 
field and not for a small plot. To arrive at the yield of 
silage per acre produced at Dodge City, Garden City 
and Tribune branch stations, multiply the dry forage 
yield by three, and such calculation will give the reader 
a fair understanding of what he can expect under such 
conditions as prevailed last season in the territory rep- 
resented by these stations. I insist that the farmer is 
not doing as well as he can until he has closely approached 



94 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



these station results. So to do may require somewhat 
more labor than is usually given the grain sorghum crop, 
but it is to be presumed that a planting is made for a 
crop, and it is business to complete the job by pushing 
the crop to a maximum yield. 




Cattle Feeding Scene in Western Kansas. — On This Ranch the 
Sorghums Have for Years Been the Mainstays. 

Thirteen Years of Com, Kafir and Milo. The 

record of the performance of kafir and milo as compared 
with corn for the entire state, has therein some illuminat- 
ing facts. The total acreages and total values appearing 
in the tables below are from the reports of the State 
Board of Agriculture and are the basis for the deduc- 
tions made. It is unfortunate that figures are not ob- 
tainable showing yields for the sorghums in bushels of 
grain per acre. The board's figures have been made on 
the basis of ton yield per acre, the value combining that 
of both grain and forage. While on hundreds of Kansas 
farms kafir and milo have for years been grown for grain 
and have been urged upon the farmers of Kansas gen- 
erally as the most certain and profitable feed crops, the 
essential figures for intelligently comparing them with 
corn, are not available. However, beginning with 1915, 
the board will report the bushel yield of that part of the 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 95 

grain sorghum crop planted for grain and the acre ton- 
nage yield of that acreage planted for forage. 

In 1894, and for that year only, the yields of the grain 
sorghums were reported by the board in bushels, as 
shown by the first table below. With these figures is 
also reported the ton yield per acre for 1893, the first 
year in which grain sorghums were officially recognized 
in Kansas' statistics. 

1893 1894 

Acre Yield Acre Yield 
IN Tons in Bushels 

Milo 2.47 12.62 

Kafir 2.74 13.22 

Jerusalem Corn 1.58 13.34 

Corn 19.22 bushels 10.45 bushels 

The tables below are designed to enable the reader to 
make a comparison of acreages and acre values of the 
several crops for a period of thirteen years, 1901-1913 
inclusive. It is probable that this period was one of as 
generally favorable seasonal conditions as Kansas has 
ever had or can hope for. It would have been possible 
to select a series of years more favorable to corn and an- 
other series more favorable to kafir and milo, but a fair 
presentation of the merits of the two crops is better 
shown by results of a period of average seasonal condi- 
tions. However, it is impossible even by this care, to 
place corn and the grain sorghums on an absolutely equal 
basis for comparison. This is because it is well known 
that in Kansas the sorghums are planted on the higher 
and less fertile lands and in the sections of lighter rain- 
fall, while the most fertile lands and those best supplied 
with moisture are planted to corn. Another condition 
which makes an equal comparison impossible, is that in 
Kansas, as in Oklahoma, a considerable acreage of grain 
sorghums is planted for forage only, thus reducing the 
acre value of that part of the crop planted for grain and 
which because of its seeding would have a higher value. 



96 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

Another cause for impossible accurate comparison is 
that the figures on corn do not attach a value to the corn 
stover, when cut and shocked or placed in the silo as 
much of it is, or when the stalks are pastured as most 
of them are. It would be just to corn to give an average 
value of fifty cents per acre for stalk pasturage and to 
credit it with a value per ton for stover almost equal to 
that given kafir and milo forage. However, the forage 
of kafir is worth more per ton than corn fodder and that 
of milo somewhat less. The value of corn stover per 
acre would not equal the value of kafir stover because 
ordinarily the tonnage of kafir is in excess of that of 
corn. This difference in acre tonnage is generally 
recognized, and figures herein show that in a series of 
years at the Oklahoma station the yield of kafir stover 
per acre exceeded that of corn by one and one-fifth tons. 
Other figures pointing to the larger acre yield of kafir 
forage as compared with corn are contained herein. 

At any rate the figures available are not such as will 
enable anyone to place the growing of kafir, milo and 
corn on an equal basis for comparison. If the bushel 
yield of kafir and milo planted and harvested for grain 
were comparable with the bushel yield of corn in the 
same county, accurate conclusions as to the comparative 
profitableness of grain yield, could be drawn. Yet, 
when the feeding value of the grain and forage is con- 
sidered, common usage, as exemplified by farm practice, 
has long since determined the grain sorghums as most 
profitable for the state as a whole, and their greater 
assurance of yield is also much to their credit. After 
all, the feeding value and certainty of production is the 
true measure of any crop which is ultimately fed to live 
stock. 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 97 

Corn. The table below shows the total acreage, total 

value and acre value of the Kansas corn crop for the 
years 1901-1913 inclusive: 

Corn Total Acre 

Year Acreage Value Value 

1913 6,655,023 $13,378,475 $ 2.01 

1912 6,884,044 83,483,681 12.13 

1911 7,760,087 59,599,408 7.6S 

1910 8,589,682 76,402,327 8.89 

1909 7,711,879 83,066,905 10.77 

1908 7,057,535 82,642,461 11.70 

1907 6,809,012 63,040,743 9.26 

1906 6,584,535 65,115,203 9.89 

1905 6,799,755 68,718,583 10.10 

1904 6,494,158 50,713,955 7.81 

1903 6,525,777 57,078,141 8.74 

1902 6,990,764 78,321,653 11.20 

1901 6,772,973 21,731,215 3.21 

91,635,224 $803,292,750 

Average acre value $8.76 
1893 6,172,462 $ 32,621,762 $5.29 

The figures show that in only one of the thirteen years 
was the acre value of corn in excess of $12 and that for 
four years only was it in excess of $10. These yields, 
even for the entire state and including all kinds of land 
and farm management, show little profit in growing corn 
for market. When these averages are compared with 
the individual higher yields in every locality, it would 
seem that thousands of Kansas farmers could well afford 
to examine carefully into their corn growing methods, the 
adaptability of the crop to and the seed used in their 
locality, with a view to increasing the yield and the 
profitableness of the crop. In the poorest years, in fact 
every year in certain sections of the state, much of the 
corn is chaffy and wormy and the average acre value 
does not indicate marketable corn, and the figures given 
do not show either how good or how poor the crop of 



98 sorghums: sure money crops 

each of the thirteen years was. While the above condi- 
tion was true regarding the corn crop in a considerable 
portion of the state, on the other hand much of the land 
of Kansas is situated as favorably in every respect as 
any land in the so-called corn belt and produces as large 
and profitable crops as land in Missouri, Iowa or Illinois. 









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Harvesting Kafir Seven Miles AVest of Salina in 1912. — This Kafir 
Yielded in Excess of 60 Bushels per Acre, Althongh Not of a 
Pure Stiain. 

Regardless of the low average acre value for the 
thirteen-year period, the aggregate value of corn is far 
in excess of the value of any other grain crop grown in 
Kansas. The figures above reporting its annual value 
from a market standpoint, do not indicate its real value 
when measured by the pork, beef, butter fat and eggs 
it produces. Yet the figures indicate a tremendous 
acreage returning a low value per acre and which can 
beyond question be greatly increased — I think near 
doubled — by more intelligent handling of the crop. 

Cost of Growing Corn. The corn table above will 
have additional interest and meaning when the reader 
reflects on the cost of growing corn. It is quite impos- 
sible to produce an accurate statement, for the state as 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 99 

a whole, of the cost of producing a corn crop on account 
of the widely varying practices regarding corn growing. 
There are sections of the state in which no less than 
three times as much work is done on the crop as in other 
sections. Also the value of land and cost of labor varies. 
However, it would seem that the following cost state- 
ment compiled from the figures of many farmers, could 
not be far wrong as representing an average amount of 
labor and cost in growing an acre of corn: 

Blank listing $ .50 

Listing at planting .50 

Two harrowings .30 

Three cultivations .75 

Husking 20 bushels .60 

Interest on investment in team and implements. . .50 

Seed, $2.50 per bushel 50 

Interest on $50 land at 6 per cent 3.00 

Total acre planting and growing cost $6.65 

This cost schedule is not intended to indicate the neces- 
sary operations in preparing land for planting or in 
taking care of the growing crop, but corn farming is 
not as well done anywhere as it should be without at 
least equivalent work. On some farms the ground is 
fall plowed instead of blank listed, on others two or 
three diskings take the place of blank listing, etc. Some 
land on which corn is planted is not worth $50 per acre ; 
other land, however, is worth $150 per acre. But I be- 
lieve these figures come as near representing the average 
cost of corn growing as the figures in the table represent 
the average acre value. 

With this cost figured against the average acre value 
for the 1901-1913 period there is an apparent profit of 
$2.11 per acre when the corn is sold at market prices. 
To this profit must be added the value of the stalks for 
pasture or fodder or as silage. True, the farmer who 
would make the most money from his corn crop markets 
it through live stock, which, if intelligently done, will 



100 



sorghums: sure money crops 



give him a wider and maximum margin of profit. How- 
ever, thousands of farmers grow corn for cash market 
only and realize thereon a very narrow margin of profit, 
and which fact again points to the advisability of grow- 
ing the most certain feed crops and marketing these in 
the form of live stock products. 



I j''*"'-"'^|DEc.?r!;!;'''"«^°*'|p,„,„,,|»""«i ^'' 
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i.-5»#T[0 K I, K '— — M^.ii*-*)' I 



Kansas Map ShoAving Distribution of 1912 Kafir Acreage. — Eacli 
Solid Dot is 1,000 Acres and Each Open Dot 500 Acres or Less. 
—Total Acreage 1.422,114, With a Value of $19.()35,557.— 
Figures from Kansas State Board of Agriculture. 

It is not to be inferred that the labor cost of growing 
kafir and milo will be less than that of growing corn. 
However, there is in grain sorghum growing some varia- 
tion from the figures given. Kafir and milo for maxi- 
mum production and most certain yield require as good 
farming methods as does corn and the sorghum grower 
should regard that he has not discharged his duty as a 
farmer until he applies to grain sorghum growing the 
same intelligent effort and as much work as he would 
to corn. 

Kafir. The total acreage, total value and acre value 
of kafir for each year of the period 1901-1913, inclusive, 
is here given : 



grain sorghum yields and values 101 

Kafir Total Acre 

Year Acreage Value Value 

1913 1,403,731 $12,324,131 $ 8.78 

1912 1,422,114 19,635,557 13.81 

1911 919,046 14,455,037 15.73 

1910 619,808 8,011,283 12.92 

1909 636,201 7,150,080 11.24 

1908 630,096 6,856,845 10.88 

1907 508,485 5,658,859 11.12 

1906 548,497 5,039,238 9.19 

1905 538,393 5,352,810 9.94 

1904 518,372 5,041,546 9.73 

1903 660,097 6,142,179 9.30 

1902 748,176 9,495,572 12.69 

1901 618,816 6,388,025 10.32 

9,771,832 $111,551,162 

Average acre value $11.41 
1893 46,911 $450,903 $ 9.61 

The figures indicate that the average acre value of 
kafir for the 1901-1913 period was $11.41, exceeding the 
average acre value of corn for the same period $2.65, 
or 30 per cent. Applying the same growing cost as for 
corn, kafir would show a profit of $4.76 per acre as com- 
pared with $2.11 for corn. 

It will be observed by comparing the corn and kafir 
tables that in each year except three — 1908, 1906 and 
1905 — the acre value of kafir exceeded the acre value 
of corn, also that in 1901, when corn was near a complete 
failure, kafir exceeded corn in value $7.11 per acre. 
Again in 1913, another year in which corn was near a 
complete failure, the value of kafir exceeded corn $6.77 
per acre. It is to be observed that the poorer the corn 
year the wider the difference in acre value between the 
two crops, but in favor of kafir, and also that the better 
the corn year the higher the kafir value. This estab- 
lishes the claim that in the poor year kafir does better 
than corn and in the good year is the near equal of corn. 



102 



sorghums: sure money crops 



This showing is outstanding and important when viewed 
from the standpoint of the live stock feeder. 

The largest kafir acreage in the history of the state 
was grown in 1912, being an increase in excess of one- 
half million acres over the year previous. This increase 
followed the short corn year of 1911. Note the increased 




Kansas Map Showing Distribution of 1912 Milo Acreage. — Each 
Solid Dot is 1,000 Acres and Each Open Dot 500 or Less. — 
Total Acreage 183,611, with a value of $2,300,402.— Figures 
from Kansas State Board of Agriculture. 

acreage immediately following each poor corn year and 
the gradually decreasing acreage as the seasons continued 
favorable for corn and the ''off" year was forgotten. In 
1911. many silos were built and most of these were filled 
with kafir; this silage proving satisfactory, induced 
many stockmen to plant kafir for silage the following 
year. However, 1912 was the best corn year in the 
thirteen-year period and the kafir acreage was slightly 
reduced, showing the tendency to follow the success of 
the favorable year and forget that there ever was such 
a thing as a dry year. 

The fact that the kafir acreage has in twenty years 
increased thirty times is significant, too, when it is con- 
sidered that a deep-seated prejudice has existed against 
the crop. The present acreage is such as has forced it- 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 103 

self upon the farmer — his attitude, as a matter of fact, 
having compelled it to grow and yield under methods of 
planting and cultivation much less favorable than those 
under which corn is grown. 

Milo. The total acreage, total value and acre value 
of the Kansas milo crop for each year of the period 1901- 
1913, inclusive, is shown by the following: 

Milo Total Acre 

Year Acreage Value Value 

1913 229,534 $1,189,643 $ 5.18 

1912 183,611 2,300,402 12.53 

1911 174,404 1,808,855 10.37 

1910 100,700 1,033,239 10.26 

1909 102,492 959,258 9.35 

1908 55,255 515,269 9.32 

1907 22,090 234,686 10.62 

1906 17,563 146,289 8.32 

1905 20,550 190,974 9.29 

1904 7,166 73,476 10.25 

1903 6,889 60,851 8.83 

1902 5,839 56,166 9.61 

1901 5,988 45,063 7.52 

932,081 $8,614,171 

Average acre value $ 9.24 
1893 14,004 $ 121,331 $ 8.66 

For the thirteen-year period the average acre value of 
milo exceeded the state's average for corn, forty-eight 
cents per acre or five per cent, and in only five of the 
thirteen years has the corn acre value exceeded that of 
milo. But it must be recalled that milo production is 
confined almost wholly to the western third of the state 
and the milo showing above is the record of that crop in 
a section for which corn is near an impossible profitable 
crop. 

In 1913 the milo acreage was the largest in the state's 
history, being 229,534 or an increase of approximately 
46,000 acres as compared with the year preceding. In 



104 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

thirteen years the milo acreage has increased from 6,000 
to about 230,000 which tends to show its general intro- 
duction into and dependence thereupon in that part of 
the state to which it has been adapted. 

Considering milo for the thirteen-year period, its acre 
value is $2.17 less than that of kafir, and this is 
accounted for through the fact that the acre yield of both 
grain and forage is less than in the case of kafir, and the 
forage of milo has a lower feeding value than that of 
kafir. 

Combined Kafir and Milo. The kafir and milo fig- 
•ures above are given separately that the reader may make 
such comparison of the two crops as the figures permit 
and that each may be compared with corn. However, 
in comparing the grain sorghums of Kansas with the 
corn of the state, the kafir and milo figures, as follows, 
may well be considered together: 

Total Acre 

1901-1913 Acreage Value Value 

Kafir 9,771,832 $111,551,162 $11.41 

Milo 932,081 8,614,171 9.24 



Totals and Av. ..10,703,913 $120,165,333 $11.23 
Corn 91,635,224 $803,292,750 $ 8.76 

The difference between acre value of corn and the 
combined acre value of kafir and milo, is $2.47 or 28 
per cent in favor of kafir and milo. 

The figures show that in the thirteen-year period the 
farmers of Kansas planted one acre of kafir and milo 
to each nine of corn. Few farmers who have observed 
the comparative performance of these crops will approve 
such a small grain sorghum acreage — in the light of the 
surest and necessary feed supply. 

Sorghums and Live Stock Population. The acreage 
of dry weather-resisting grain and forage crops grown 
and the number of animals reported on the farms of 
Kansas affords an interesting comparison. In 1912 the 
total cattle, horses, mules and sheep — these being the 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 105 

forage-eating animals — within the state were 3,893,263, 
and the sorghum acreage for that year was 2,318,779, 
including 713,000 acres of cane — the latter not being 
heretofore included in the totals. The proper calculation 
reveals six-tenths acre of sorghum roughage provided for 
each animal in that year. Of course there were other 
roughages, hays and grains available for feeding, but 
none of these is so certain of yield or productive in acre 
tonnage as sorghums. The 1912 sorghum acreage being 
the largest in the state's history and the live stock pop- 
ulation about normal, it would appear, without going 
into those figures necessary to show the acreage required 
to maintain an animal, that a far insufficient acreage of 
"sure feed crops" is being grown to properly feed the 
live stock in a year of short forage crops. It is apparent 
that if live stock is to be kept at the greatest profit it 
must be well fed, and since feed will return the grower 
a greater acre value when marketed through live stock, 
the growing and feeding of more grain and roughage 
cannot help but increase the farm revenue. It is else- 
where recorded that live stock farming gives from 18 to 
48 per cent more profit than grain farming in the states 
of Illinois, Missouri and Iowa, and which states are 
favorable to the growing of market crops. It would seem 
that live stock farming in Kansas, as compared with 
grain farming, would appear still more profitable. But, 
live stock farming cannot be successful without an as- 
sured and abundant feed supply. 

Kafir, Milo and Corn Compared by Sections. The 
more restricted the sections for which averages are made 
to apply, the greater the value of the averages. For ex- 
ample, the intending purchaser of a farm in the western 
third of Kansas would gain a better idea of what he 
could expect in crop yields if he knew the average yields 
for that third of the state than if he knew only the aver- 
ages for the state as a whole. To permit a comparison 
of kafir and milo growing, with corn, for the western 
half and western third of Kansas, and that these may 



a- ^ 




GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 107 

be compared with the eastern half of the state and with 
the entire state, I have compiled the table below. The fig- 
ures for the western half of the state are for those 54 
counties lying west of a line drawn between Jewell and 
Republic counties on the north and Harper and Sumner 
counties on the south, and which line is approximately 
the 98th meridian. These counties comprise almost ex- 
actly the western half of Kansas. The figures for the 
western third of Kansas are for those 31 counties lying 
west of the Norton-Phillips county line on the north and 
the Clark-Comanche county line on the south. The west- 
ern half, and of course the western third of Kansas, is 
within the sorghum belt as described by the Federal 
Department of Agriculture, and it is logical that a table 
permitting a comparison of grain sorghum and corn 
growing in Kansas' sorghum belt with that part out- 
side of the sorghum belt, be given. However, the figures 
already given establish the claim made in the first few 
pages that in actual farm practice the whole of Kansas 
is included within the sorghum belt area. 

Kafir and Milo 

1901-1913 Acreage 

State 10,703,913 

East half 5,139,566 

West half . . . 5,564,347 
West third . . 2,786,103 

It will be surprising, or was to me, that the acre value 
of kafir and milo for the western half of Kansas was 
only $1.09 lower than the average for the entire state, 
also that the acre value of corn for the western half was 
only $1.56 less than the acre value for the state. What- 
ever may be the real cause for the small differences, 
the figures should, nevertheless, be encouraging to the 
western farmer. 

To me it was equally surprising that the acre value 
of kafir and milo for the western half of Kansas is only 
$2.25 lower than the value for the eastern half, and that 



Acre 


Corn 


Acre 


Value 


Acreage 


Value 


$11.23 


91,635,224 


$8.76 


12.39 


60,497,155 


9.57 


10.14 


31,138,069 


7.20 


9.24 


9,106,819 


4.73 



108 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



the acre value of corn for the western half is only $2.37 
less than the acre value for the eastern half. 

It would seem that the seasonal and soil conditions of 
the eastern half of Kansas, compared with those of the 
western half, should result in a greater difference in 
acre value of these crops for those sections. 




Kansas May Showing Distribution of 19] 2 Cane Acreage. — Eat-li 
Solid Dot is 1,000 Acres and Each Open Dot 500 or I^ss.— 
Total Acreage 713,000, With a Value of $7.040.986.— Figures 
from Kansas State Board of Agriculture. 

It should be noted that the acre value of kaf ir and milo 
for the western third is only 22 cents less than double 
the acre corn value. The regrettable thing is that for 
the thirteen-year period in these thirty-one western 
counties there was planted only two and three-quarters 
acres of milo and kafir to nine acres of corn — a planting 
ratio which is not at all consistent with the returns of the 
two crops. It is worth while that every farmer in the 
western third of Kansas ponder this fact. Through so 
doing he should be able to see at least one way out. It 
will appear that for years through corn growing he has 
been in a great measure fooling away his time, wearing 
out himself and his family and enduring unnecessary dis- 
appointment. 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 109 

In working up the data of these thirty-one western 
counties, to arrive at the averages, I was appalled to note 
the frequency with which total corn failures are recorded 
in several counties, marking the loss of the farmers' total 
season's labor and investment in the crop. But in such 
years in those same counties kafir and milo yielded both 
grain and forage in profitable quantities. If the whole 
acreage had been planted to these, much more stock could 
have been kept and enough beef, pork and cream sold 
to have made the farmer permanent and reasonably 
prosperous. 

In the detailed statement I find counties of these thirty- 
one in which in the thirteen-year period kafir and milo 
have exceeded an acre value of $10 as compared with 
$4 to $4.50 per acre for corn, yet these counties have 
planted within that time more than a million acres to 
corn and slightly less than one hundred thousand to grain 
sorghums. Other inconsistencies equally astounding 
could be pointed out, but respect for those who have long 
endured the inevitable hardships of a new country fore- 
stalls further and unnecessary analysis. I only hope to 
see the day when the western farmer will be convinced 
— somehow by somebody — that he has too long been seek- 
ing the ''pot of gold at the end of the rainbow," and will 
turn his hand to those things which promise well and 
through which possible, but improbable failure, can be 
no greater than those failures of the past. 

Ten Kansas Counties Grow More Sorghums than 
Corn. There are ten Kansas counties growing a larger 
acreage of kafir and milo than corn, and these deserve 
special mention. These counties form almost a square 
in the southwest corner of the state. Here the grain 
sorghum acreage has been steadily and consistently in- 
creasing for years. The corn acreage has also increased, 
but has held about the same relation to the grain sor- 
ghum acreage throughout the period as at the beginning. 
In no year during the thirteen has the corn acreage 



110 sorghums: sure money crops 

exceeded the kafir and milo acreage. The following 

table reveals the record of grain sorghum growing as 
compared with corn for the several counties for the 1901- 
1913 period, inclusive: 

Kafir 

AND Milo Acre Corn Acre 

County — Acreage Value Acreage Value 

Finney 109,425 $11.22 62,504 $ 7.74 

Grant 62,113 7.83 13,475 5.27 

Hamilton 71,825 8.63 13,609 6.24 

Haskell 59,341 8.28 22,521 5.51 

Kearney 68,254 10.32 26,676 8.19 

Meade 203,444 10.20 100,219 5.85 

Morton 59,198 9.53 11,352 6.54 

Seward 173,325 9.70 65,858 6.16 

Stanton 52,410 8.31 9,859 5.53 

Stevens 166,848 10.20 44,171 5.83 



1,026,183 370,244 

Total value $9,992,634.00 $2,362,762.00 

Av. acre value. . 9.73 6.38 

It will be seen that during the period two and three- 
fourths acres of kafir and milo were planted to each 
acre of corn, and the average acre value of these sor- 
ghums was 52.5 per cent in excess of the acre value of 
corn, in none of these ten counties did the average acre 
value of corn exceed that of kafir and milo, for the period. 
The milo acreage in 1912 was about 15,000 greater than 
that of kafir, and during the period the milo acreage has 
each year been increased. 

It will be a matter of some interest that for these 
ten extreme southwestern counties the acre value of 
kafir and milo should be only $1.50 below the average 
for the state, and the acre value for corn only $2.38 be- 
low the state average. 

It is worthy of note, too, that the acre value of kafir 
and milo for these ten counties is 49 cents in excess of 
the average for the western third of the state and that 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 111 

their acre corn value is $1.65 above the average for the 
same section. This comparison would seem to indicate 
that the twenty-one counties lying north of the ten were 
equally good producers of grain sorghums, but not of 
corn. Yet, in these twenty-one counties — as shown by 
the acreages of kafir and milo as compared with corn — 
the farmers are reversing the present practice of their 
neighbors in the ten southern counties. It would seem 
that the counties directly north and extending to the 
state line, could well afford to give more attention to the 
general use of the grain sorghums, and milo in particular, 
since that sorghum will mature grain throughout the 
western third of Kansas. 

Butler Big Sorghum-Growing County. The most con- 
spicuous sorghum-growing county of Kansas is Butler, 
and in which county is grown one-fifteenth of the state's 
total kafir and milo acreage. 

Kafir 
AND Milo Acre Corn Acre 

Year Acreage Value Acreage Value 

1913 99,505 $11.99 92,265 $1.54 

1912 119,838 14.00 84,417 12.65 

1911 78,370 15.01 115,831 10.62 

1910 58,848 13.00 139,924 6.60 

1909 49,834 10.50 148,250 11.20 

1908 44,233 9.00 143,891 13.25 

1907 34,725 12.25 148,902 9.45 

1906 38,390 7.50 134,525 10.44 

1905 31,231 10.00 148,536 9.10 

1904 27,891 9.00 133,067 8.00 

1903 31,257 8.00 138,684 7.00 

1902 35,792 12.00 135,792 13.20 

1901 .26,332 12.00 156,014 2.88 

676,246 1,720,098 

Av. acre values . $11.84 $8.93 

1893 852 10.74 132,943 3.60 



112 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

The above is a tabulated history of kaf ir,. milo and corn 
growing in Butler County for the years 1901-1913, in- 
clusive. Through its large acreage of grain sorghums, 
principally kafir, and its annual kafir carnival held at 
El Dorado, Butler County has gained prominence at home 
and abroad. 

It will be seen that Butler County grows one acre of 
grain sorghums to each two and one-half acres of corn. 
There is not another county located within the eastern 
half of the state which grows so large a proportion of 
grain sorghums to corn. 

For the thirteen-year period the acre value of kafir 
and milo in Butler County exceeded that of corn 32.6 
per cent, and in only four of the thirteen years did the 
value of corn exceed that of the sorghums. 

It should be noted that in 1893 — the year in which the 
kafir and milo figures were first included in the report 
of the State Board of Agriculture — Butler reported only 
852 acres of grain sorghums, and in the twenty years has 
increased that acreage to one hundred thousand. How- 
ever, the 1912 acreage exceeded this figure almost 
twenty-thousand. In this same connection it is inter- 
esting to observe that in 1893 the county grew 132,943 
acres of corn, with an acre value of $3.60, as compared 
with an acre value of $10.74 for kafir and milo for the 
same year. A point deserving special note is that the 
corn acreage during the period 1893-1900 showed an 
increase each year, but beginning with 1901 and con- 
tinuing through 1913 has shown a steady decrease from 
156,014 to 92,265 acres. On the other hand, it is to be 
noted that the grain sorghum acreage has increased, and 
of this acreage kafir is the principal crop, there having 
been planted only 500 acres of milo in the year 1913. 

That Butler County is not essentially different in soil 
or seasonal conditions which would make kafir and milo 
better adapted to that county than to others in Eastern 
Kansas, is shown by the fact that its acre corn value for 
the thirteen-year period is practically the same as the 



GRAIN SORGHUM YIELDS AND VALUES 113 

average for the eastern half of the state, being only 
sixty-four cents below that average, and its grain sor- 
ghum acre value only fifty-five cents lower than the 
average for the same section. This is some evidence that 
conditions in Butler County are not more conducive to 
the growing of kafir and milo, nor less conducive to corn 
growing, than those counties, generally, com.prising the 
eastern half of the state. It would seem, therefore, that 
the supremacy of Butler as a grain sorghum-growing 
county, as compared with other Eastern Kansas counties, 
rests wholly upon its acreage planted rather than upon 
any increased yield of grain or forage as compared with 
other eastern counties. 

Butler in 1912 had 104,886 cattle, sheep, horses and 
mules, and with this number led all other Kansas coun- 
ties. Besides, in that year there were in the county 
34,000 swine, this number being exceeded by only eight 
other counties in the state. In 1912 there was grown in 
the county 132,932 acres of sorghums, including 13,000 
acres of cane, or 1.27 acres of sorghums, to each of the 
forage-eating animals. This acreage is striking as com- 
pared with six-tenths acre grown for each of the same 
kind of animals for the entire state. The total live stock 
population of Butler is quite out of proportion — in com- 
parison with other counties in the eastern half of the 
state — to the amount of corn produced, indicating that 
its live stock is successfully maintained and to a greater 
extent, on the grain and forage of sorghums than is the 
case in any other important live stock county in Kansas, 

The Lesson of Kafir and Milo. There are farmers 
in every locality who are securing corn, kafir and milo 
yields year after year, two or three and even more times 
in excess of the average for their communities. There 
are farmers who rarely experience even a near failure 
in sorghums or other feed crops and who always have 
feed sufficient to well winter their live stock and to feed 
their cows to a point of liberal milk production. With 
these farmers their success is not wholly one of rainfall 



114 



sorghums: sure money crops 



or otherwise favorable growing seasons. Such examples 
are worthy of imitation and hold encouragement for 
every other farmer. 

Kansas has attained distinction as the largest grain 
sorghum producing state, because her conditions of soil 
and climate are such as have compelled her farmers to 
place dependence in the sorghums, and not because they 




]Map of Kansas Sliowing Altitude of the Several Sections of the State. 

would follow grain sorghum growing as a more profit- 
able crop than others they have for years grown. In 
other words, to date Kansas is growing grain sorghums 
only to the extent that they are absolutely needed and 
not because the possibilities of grain sorghum growing 
have been realized to the extent that any big live stock 
or other attendant industry has been established there- 
upon. The evidence given in this chapter would indicate 
that kafir and milo are enough surer feed and forage 
crops to justify an increased acreage and to warrant the 
feeding of more of all kinds of animals and the building 
up of a greater live stock industry within the state and 
an increased farming prosperity. 



SORGHUM AREAS DEFINED. 

Climates are not changed by man. As shown by the 
records lor long periods, climates do not change from 
any cause. That rainfall does not follow the plow, must 
be accepted by every farmer as a fact. The great mass 
of data accumulated during the hundreds of years, is the 
evidence which controverts the theory that the rainfall 
increases as virgin areas come under cultivation. There 
have been no perceptible changes in climate or rainfall 
anyv^herc within historical time. Extended dry periods 
are not followed by extended wet periods, operating in 
cycles, as is claimed by many who depend upon their 
recollection instead of relying upon existing records. 
The fr«ct is that the average precipitation for each ten- 
year period of the past has been about the same; dry 
years have alternated with wet years, and it will always 
be so. When the farmer settles in a new country he 
can depend upon the precipitation of that country con- 
tinuing as shown bj^ the records of the past and his farm- 
ing operations should be governed thereby. 

Climate Governs Farm Methods. Varying annual 
precipitation, distribution of rainfall through the grow- 
ing season, length of growing season and moisture-dis- 
sipating forces, result in regions which are vastly differ- 
ent agriculturally. These make necessary a character of 
farming and crop varieties in Wisconsin greatly differ- 
ent from those of South Carolina. Even in Kansas — in 
the two hundred miles north and south and four hundred 
miles east and west — are variations in climate which 
make necessary several widely differing methods of soil 
handling and different varieties and combinations of 
farm crops. 

Every thoughtful farmer will realize, upon a moment's 

llo 



SORGHUM AREAS DEFINED 117 

consideration, that the successful farmer in Western 
Kansas must necessarily follow different methods than 
those practiced in the eastern part of the state. That 
many Western farmers have failed in a great measure to 
recognize this, is evidenced by their many years of in- 
different success through the same farming methods and 
the use of the same kind of crops as prevail ''down East." 
The farmers of Western Kansas are not alone in their 
refusal to recognize the necessity of agricultural methods 
peculiar to their location. This same thing is true, gen- 
erally, of farmers throughout the sorghum belt. 

It is certain that farming cannot be most profitably 
done without due recognition of the prevailing climatic 
conditions. Those recommended methods which apply 
to the regions of lighter rainfall and which are designated 
as ''dry farming," are directed toward moisture conser- 
vation throughout the year. The principles of such prac- 
tice have been established as vitally important in the 
soil handling methods of sections having less than thirty 
inches of annual precipitation. Such sections require 
farm crops which make economical use of the soil 
moisture and which evade or resist the dry weather. 

The usefulness of the sorghums varies with the con- 
ditions under which they are grown. Every grower in 
Eastern Kansas knows that kafir will, in a normal sea- 
son in his section, produce more grain and forage than 
will milo. Northwest Kansas growers know that in their 
section in normal seasons milo is more certain of grain 
production than is kafir. This is so, not only because 
of the varying seasonal conditions, but because of the 
varying inherent characteristics of the two plants. 
Recognizing a section better adapted to milo than to 
kafir, is to acknowledge the differences in climate — par- 
ticularly the length of growing season and annual pre- 
cipitation — and such admission calls for different 
preparation, planting and cultivation methods. 

The map showing the mean annual rainfall of the 
United States, on page 6, should be observed in connec- 



118 



sorghums: sure money crops 



tion with the above. From this map it will be seen how 
the areas of varying rainfall extend north and south 
across the middle section of the United States, and how 
Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and states north of 
these have the same rainfall divisions. The only essen- 
tial differences between farming in the belt of thirty 
inches of rainfall in Texas and in Kansas, is that of soil 




Map Showing A\e;ag(_' Number of Days in (Jrowing Season lur ^uveral 

Sections of Kansas. 



and length of growing season. The farmer in Texas and 
the farmer in Kansas in the same rainfall division, have 
the same problem — that of making the most effective use 
of soil moisture. 

Elsewhere, briefly, has been described the general 
character of climatic conditions as they prevail through- 
out the sorghum belt. It is my purpose in this chapter 
to enter into a somewhat detailed discussion of sorghum 
growing as applying particularly to Kansas, but which, 
the reader can apply to Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas, or 
other sections, if he will ascertain the length of growing 
season as determined by the average dates of killing 
frosts in the spring and fall, the annual precipitation, 
the months in which the rains fall and the amount of 
rainfall. If he will apply the conclusions from such find- 



SORGHUM AREAS DEFINED 119 

ings to his crop growing methods, he will be a more suc- 
cessful grower of grain and feed crops than his neighbors 
who fail to recognize the controlling influences. 

Growing Season in Sorghum Belt. In the growing 
of sorghums the length of the growing season is a matter 
of concern only to the farmer located in that part of the 
sorghum belt of which Western Kansas and Eastern 
Colorado are a part. At the extreme north end of the 
Texas Panhandle the season is 190 days, and of course 
longer farther south. In the Panhandle of Oklahoma it 
is 170 to 180 days, and gradually decreases to 140 days 
in Northwestern Kansas. In Eastern Colorado the grow- 
ing season ranges from 160 days on the South to 130 
days on the North. So, south of the Kansas-Oklahoma 
line the season is plenty long for corn, kafir and milo, 
and even cotton. But north of that line and west of the 
98th meridian in Kansas and Colorado the diminishing 
length of the growing period is a matter of concern and 
such as necessitates early maturing varieties of all spring 
planted crops. The several frost date maps and that 
showing the length of growing season, each for Kansas, 
can be made to apply to Eastern Colorado if the reader 
will extend the lines in the same general trend across that 
state. 

Kansas' Precipitation and Altitude. I am confi- 
dent that by reference to the precipitation map of Kansas, 
the reader will be surprised to note the gradual and 
rapidly diminishing precipitation from the eastern line 
of the state to the western line. The two eastern tiers 
of counties have thirty-five to forty inches, whereas the 
western tier of counties has less than twenty inches of 
precipitation annually. The eastern third of the state 
has thirty to forty inches, the central third twenty-five 
to thirty inches, and the western third twenty-five inches 
in a small part of the east side and decreasing to less 
than twenty inches in the western tier of counties. 

Another map indicates the gradually increasing alti- 
tude from less than 1,000 feet on the east line of the 



120 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



state to more than 3,500 feet on the west line. It is in- 
teresting to note that the hne describing that section of 
the state having an altitude below 1,000 feet has forty 
inches of annual precipitation. The line of 1,500 feet 
altitude generally marks the western limit of an area 
having twenty-five inches of precipitation. The line of 
3,000 leet altitude closely approximates the eastern limit 
of twenty inches of precipitation. 



f. J, L — ' 




Map Showing Latest Dates on Which a Killing Frost Has Occurred 
in the Spring in Kansas. 

Kansas Frost Dates. Those maps showing the date 
of latest recorded killing frost in the spring and the 
average date of last killing frost in the spring, and those 
showing earliest killing frost in the fall and the average 
date of fall killing frost, also that showing the average 
days in growing season for the several sections of the 
state, studied with the maps of precipitation and alti- 
tude, will reveal many things of value to the crop-growing 
farmer. The climatology of Kansas is revealed in these 
maps and at a glance the reader will catch those things 
which would require many pages to describe. The maps 
illustrate the reasons for many statements herein made. 
They offer indisputable evidence that the same farming 
methods and the same kinds and varieties of crops will 



SORGHUM AREAS DEFINED 121 

not succeed throughout Kansas or other states where 
similar conditions exist. To me, these maps tell the 
whole story of the necessity for a revision of farming 
methods in a large portion of Kansas. They unquestion- 
ably establish a wide variation in unchangeable agricul- 
tural conditions and offer insurmountable evidence that 
the farmer must adapt thereto his entire range of 
farming. 

Precipitation and Sorghum Areas. For many years 
it was held that kafir would produce grain in profitable 
quantities only in areas of twenty-five inches or more 
of annual precipitation, and that milo was the profitable 
grain sorghum for areas of less than twenty-five inches. 
These were well fixed ideas in the minds of Central Kan- 
sas farmers twenty years ago. The origin of these 
beliefs, I do not know. However, the kafir of those days 
yielded more grain and was more certain of profitable 
production with twenty-five inches of annual precipita- 
tion than the kafir Kansas has been growing the past 
ten years. It is my opinion that the kafir of that time was 
better adapted to areas of less than twenty-five inches 
of precipitation than is the kafir now commonly grown 
in Kansas. Why I think so will be told later. 

An interesting view in this connection is that of H. M. 
Cottrell, agricultural commissioner of the Rock Island 
Lines. After years of careful inquiry into the perform- 
ance of these several grain sorghums and after having 
observed the performance of feterita during the past two 
or three years, he holds that kafir should be grown in 
those areas of Kansas and Oklahoma having twenty-four 
inches or more of precipitation, milo in areas having 
sixteen to twenty-four, and that feterita deserves a thor- 
ough trial in sections having less than sixteen inches. 

It is important to note to what extent the farmer has 
determined the kafir and milo-growing sections for Kan- 
sas and in connection therewith to observe those condi- 
tions which point to the desirability of sorghum growing. 
In almost every locality there are progressive farmers 



122 



sorghums: sure money crops 



who have established the most successful crop and farm 
methods for their section. The accomplishments of these 
men and the work and observations of the agricultural 
experiment stations, provide the safest guide for recom- 
mendation of general practices. I believe it safe to 
say that those farmers who have pioneered in sorghum 
growing have proven the adapted areas and the relative 
merits of the grain sorghums for the several sections of 
Kansas. The distribution of the sorghums throughout 
Kansas is illustrated by the several maps. 




.Map Showing Average Date of Last Killing Frost in the Spring in 

Kansas. 

Kafir Distribution in Kansas. By reference to the 
map on page 100, it will be seen that more than half of 
the kafir acreage of Kansas is grown in the eastern half 
of the state. This area has an annual precipitation of 
thirty inches on the west border, increasing to forty 
inches on the east, and the growing season ranges from 
160 to 190 days. In Eastern Oklahoma under a corre- 
sponding precipitation but longer growing season, kafir 
has become an established farm crop. The performance of 
kafir compared with corn, as presented in the preceding 
chapter, indicates, beyond doubt, that farmers have found 



SORGHUM AREAS DEFINED 123 

the common varieties of kafir most useful in sections 
having thirty inches or more of annual precipitation. 
Also, as show^n by the map, kafir is more generally grown 
than any other sorghum crop in the eastern two-thirds 
of the state and west to the area of twenty inches of 
annual precipitation and 150 days of growing season. 
It may therefore be said that the eastern two-thirds of 
Kansas, with precipitation ranging from twenty-five to 
forty inches, is the kafir area of Kansas. Under twenty 
to twenty-five inches of precipitation common kafir is 
not doing as well as the need demands. Dwarf kafir, now 
being developed, promises to supply the need for this 
area. 

It is deserving of note that the south half of the state 
grows a larger acreage of all kinds of sorghums than the 
north half. This is because of the longer growing season 
in the south half and the failure of farmers in the north 
half of the state to develop sorghums of early maturity 
and keep them so. 

Milo in Western Third of Kansas. The map on page 
102 shows the distribution of milo throughout Kansas. 
It reveals a small acreage grown in the eastern two-thirds 
of the state, although for at least twenty-five years more 
or less milo has been grown in each county of the eastern 
two-thirds. During this time it has not proven a suffi- 
ciently close competitor of kafir to warrant its adoption 
as a farm crop. The map, however, shows that in 1912 
every county in Kansas grew 1,000 acres or less. The 
largest milo acreage is in the western one-third of Kan- 
sas, which has a precipitation of twenty inches or less 
and a growing season of 160 to 140 days. Each succes- 
sive year is resulting in its more general planting, be- 
cause farmers have found it more certain than kafir as 
a grain crop. The earlier maturity of milo, as compared 
with common kafir, and its more economical use of mois- 
ture, are characteristics which make it better adapted 
than kafir to western needs. 

The milos are being improved and their usefulness 



124 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



increased and as acclimated home-grown seed is avail- 
able the western third of Kansas will increase its milo 
acreage. The Oklahoma and Texas milo-growing sections 
are those of twenty inches or less of precipitation. So 
it would seem that farm practice had designated milo 
as the grain feed crop for such areas. The forage of milo 
is not regarded in Western Kansas as a desirable rough- 




]\Iap Showing Earliest Date of Killing Frost in the Fall in Kansas. 

age, but in Colorado and Texas milo-growing farmers 
feed it with good results to all kinds of live stock. How- 
ever, the farmers of the milo-growing sections are for- 
tunate in being able to grow cane for forage, the latter 
being the acknowledged sure forage crop under such con- 
ditions as enforce the use of milo for grain. 

Milo in Thomas County. In the year 1913 milo ma- 
tured in every county in the western third of Kansas, 
except in those few counties in which grasshoppers de- 
stroyed all growing crops. P. S. Houston, of Thomas 
County, wrote Kansas Farmer his experience with two 
hundred acres of milo in 1913, and a portion of his letter 
is here printed. It shows the early maturity of the crop, 
the satisfactory results of thin planting and the appar- 
ent increased crop assurance through planting on land 



SORGHUM AREAS DEFINED 125 

which had not the year before grown a crop but which 
was free from vegetation — a condition near approaching 
summer fallow. He writes: 

'*! planted 200 acres of milo. I began planting May 15 
and finished about June 10. The early planting gave the 
highest yield, there being a larger percentage of the heads 
well matured than in the case of the later planting. 

''My experience is that milo should be planted by the 
middle of May and not later than May 20 for the best 
results in this section. I planted with a lister, using one 
bushel of seed to twelve to fourteen acres, which placed 
the stalks from eighteen to twenty inches apart. On 
account of this land being clean, the crop was cultivated 
only once. On stubble or foul land one cultivation w^ould 
not be sufficient. 

'The crop matured in about ninety days. I think with 
more moisture the milo would have matured sooner. I 
cannot say just what our rainfall was during the growing 
season, but it is certain that it was far below normal. 
The entire field yielded about twenty-five bushels per 
acre. 

"I planted 320 acres of corn on the same kind of ground 
and under the same conditions except that it was planted 
earlier than the milo, which gave it an advantage, and 
it made from nothing to five bushels per acre. This 
proves to me that milo is a far better crop than corn for 
Western Kansas. 

"I think it very necessary to plant acclimated seed. 
This conclusion is drawn from my own experience. The 
seed I planted was home-grown. I find that fields in the 
same vicinity planted with seed from the East or South 
have not done so well — in fact little of it matured last 
year. 

"I am satisfied, too, that milo is a better dry weather 
crop than kafir. We had a field of kafir planted under 
the same conditions as the milo, and while there was not 
to exceed five per cent of the kafir that headed at all, at 
least ninety per cent of the milo matured well and pro- 



126 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



duced most excellent seed. 

*'I planted both standard and dwarf milo, but could 
see little, if any, difference. I would urge that Western 
Kansas farmers plant more milo and less corn and small 
grain. 

''I have had no experience with feterita, but from 
observations made I prefer the milo." 




Map Sliowiiig Average Date of First Killing Frost in the Fall in 

Kansas. 

Cane Distribution for Kansas. The distribution of 
cane acreage throughout Kansas is shown by the map 
on page 108. A glance reveals that the counties in the 
western third of Kansas, in proportion to the land planted 
to feed crops, grow more cane than the counties farther 
east. In these counties cane produces more forage than 
either kafir or milo and the forage is a better feed than 
that of milo. Still, much kafir is grown for forage in 
the same counties, but it is planted with the hope that 
it will make grain as well as forage — a thing it will do 
in favorable seasons. It is maintained that cane will do 
better on thin lands than will kafir or milo, and this is 
another reason for its more general use in the West than 
in the East, although it is well known that on the more 
fertile soils and in areas of greater precipitation the acre 



SORGHUM AREAS DEFINED 127 

tonnage is proportionately increased. Cane as a dry 
weather forage plant is superior to all other sorghums 
and this seems established by the larger acreage grown 
under twenty inches and less of precipitation. Through 
the use of the silo the farmers of Northwest Kansas will 
make a better use of cane and it will return them a larger 
profit than heretofore. 

The cane acreage in the central and eastern thirds of 
Kansas has not been as large during the last ten years 
as formerly. This, principally, because of the planting 
of kaf ir as a combined forage and grain crop. Even when 
only a forage crop is desired, on most farms kafir has 
preference over cane in the eastern two-thirds of Kan- 
sas. This, because the roughage of kafir is generally 
regarded as superior to cane in feeding quality, the kafir 
forage keeping better than that of cane. However, cane 
will usually produce a greater tonnage of forage per acre 
than will kafir. As the silo comes into more general use 
and the largest acre yield of silage is desired, it is our 
opinion that Eastern Kansas will increase its cane acre- 
age. Yields of twenty tons of green forage per acre have 
been grown for silage in Central Kansas, and as much 
as thirty tons per acre are reported from eastern counties. 

Cottrell Locates the Sorghums. Here are H. M. 
CottrelTs ideas relative to the location of kafir, milo and 
corn in Oklahoma and Kansas : 

''Every farm in Eastern Kansas and Eastern Oklaho- 
ma should grow some kafir. On the river bottoms, at 
least one-fourth of the acreage on each farm that is 
usually planted to corn should be planted to kafir. On 
the uplands kafir will outyield corn every year, in both 
bushels and feed value. 

''In Central Kansas and Central Oklahoma, all upland 
usually planted to corn should be planted to kafir. It 
will produce a good yield of grain every year and in 
average years a large yield. On the uplands kafir will 
produce from 50 to 100 per cent more feed value than 
corn. A small acreage on every bottom farm should be 



128 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



planted to kafir each year, to guarantee feed for the 
teams and other live stock in dry years. 

'*In Western Kansas, Western Oklahoma and the Pan- 
handle, all land used for producing grain feed should be 
planted either to kafir or to milo, depending on the spring 
moisture conditions and average rainfall." 

Encourage Kafir and Milo Growing. *'The grow- 
ing of crops that have proven resistant to unfavorable 




Fig A — Map Showing Annual Precipitation of Each Third of Kan- 
sas. The Upper Figure Shows Inches of Rainfall, April to 
September, Inclusive. — By S. D. Flora, U. S. Weather Bureau. 
Topeka. 

conditions should be encouraged. These crops are kafir, 
milo, and other sorghums,*' writes E. H. Webster, 
formerly director of the Kansas Agricultural Experi- 
ment Station. ''It has been demonstrated that even in 
years like last year — 1911 — there need be no shortage of 
feed. Kafir and cane will supply grain and forage and 
they are most excellent silage crops. The silo which is 
no longer an experiment but a tested and proven insti- 
tution in this region, is opening new fields of opportunity 
for the stockman." 

"The Precipitation That Kansas Receives." Under 
this title, S. D. Flora, of the U. S. Weather Bureau^ 



SORGHUM AREAS DEFINED 129 

Topeka, prepared for this book the following brief but 
comprehensive statement illustrated by the three accom- 
panying maps. The article will add much to what has 
heretofore been written regarding the climate of Kansas : 

'The amount of precipitation — rain, melted snow and 
sleet — received during the year in any county of Kansas 
is the most important thing about the climate of that 
county. It determines almost altogether the kind of crops 
that will be grown, the density of population and the 
price of real estate, and, unfortunately, is the one thing 
about which there seems to be the most misunderstand- 
ing in other parts of the country. 

''It is interesting to note in connection with stories of 
'Drouthy Kansas' that, as shown by the accompanying 
map. Fig. A, the eastern third of Kansas receives an 
average precipitation of 25.97 inches during the six crop- 
growing months of the year, April to September, inclu- 
sive, which is greater than the average precipitation of 
any other state for these months, with the exception of 
a few Gulf and South Atlantic states. 

"The average annual precipitation of Kansas, as shown 
in detail by the accompanying map. Fig. B, ranges from 
over 44 inches in the southeastern corner to just a little 
more than 15 inches at the Colorado line. 

"The annual average for the state as a whole is 27.85 
inches. For the eastern third of the state it is 35.50 
inches; for the middle third, 26.88 inches; and for the 
westei n third, 19.35 inches. This decrease in the annual 
precipitation from the eastern to the western line of the 
state takes place with remarkable uniformity. 

"Dividing the state with an east and west line we find 
the average for the northern half is practically the same 
as the average for the southern half, and any county on 
the Nebraska line will receive substantially the same 
amount of precipitation as a county due south of it on 
the Oklahoma line, except that the southeastern quarter 
of the state shows a slight excess over the northeastern 



SORGHUM AREAS DEFINED 131 

quarter and the northwestern quarter receives slightly 
more moisture than the southwestern quarter. 

'Tractically all the state, except the two western tiers 
of counties, receives more than 20 inches of precipita- 
tion annually. 

'The annual precipitation for the eastern half of Kan- 
sas is about the same as the average for the states ol' 
Iowa, Michigan or Wisconsin, and but slightly less than 
that of the states of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, and it 
falls at a more opportune time of the year than that of 
any of the states mentioned. 

''From 70 per cent to 80 per cent of the entire year's 
precipitation falls in Kansas in the six crop-growing 
months, April to September, inclusive. In the states 
east of Kansas relatively less of the year's moisture falls 
in sum_mer and more in winter. In the Pacific Coast 
states nearly all the precipitation falls in the winter 
months. 

"Whether there has been any increase or decrease in 
the average annual precipitation in Kansas since white 
men first occupied it, is a question that has been the sub- 
ject of much bitter controversy in some quarters and one 
that might make the future of the state very uncertain, 
were it not that, fortunately, accurate records of precip- 
itation have been kept at numerous places in the state 
for periods ranging from 30 to 76 years. 

"In order to get information on this subject that was 
more definite than the recollection of impressions of the 
'oldest inhabitant,' all the precipitation records in the 
state that extend back any considerable number of years 
have been divided in the middle and the averages for the 
last half of each record have been compared with the 
averages for the first half. 

"On the accompanying map. Fig. C, the portions of 
the state where the long records show a decrease in the 
average precipitation are white, and where they show 
an increase the map is shaded. The figures pre- 
ceded by a minus sign show the average decrease in the 



SORGHUM AREAS DEFINED 133 

precipitation in the last half of the record, and the figures 
with a plus mark before them show the average increase 
in the last half. 

''This map seems to show that there has been a de- 
crease in the average precipitation in the north central 
and western portions of Kansas and an increase in the 
south central and the eastern portion. In either case 
the increase or decrease has been so small that no impor- 
tance can be attached to it, and there is no reason that 
the next 30 years may not show a reversal of conditions. 

''While it would certainly be more desirable to have 
all the records used on this map extend back to the same 
year, the final result seems to justify the method and 
demonstrate the futility of trying to prove any pro- 
gressive change in the precipitation that has fallen in 
Kansas in the past 40 years. 

"It might also be said in this connection that it has 
not been possible to compile any reliable data showing 
that the rainfall in Kansas is any differently distributed 
through the year than it was 40 years ago, or that there 
has been any change in the prevalency of drouths." 

Eastern Kansas Kafir Experience. Eastern Kan- 
sas corn growers should carefully consider this experi- 
ence reported by J. G. Mitchell, Wilson County, and 
whose farm is in the area of thirty-five to forty inches of 
annual precipitation : 

"I suggest that you farm paper editors push kafir 
more than you do. I am certain that it should be the 
standcird crop instead of being considered a make-shift 
or catch crop for dry years. 

"There is no use trying to dodge the fact that corn 
will not make a full crop in Kansas very often. And 
when we do get a full crop it is still not as valuable as 
kafir put on the same ground and tended the same. 

"Kafir can be made to reach the 40-bushel mark on 
any upland in Kansas by proper tending and selection of 
seed. I have grown it as a main crop from its first in- 



SORGHUM AREAS DEFINED 135 

troduction, and find it the equal of corn in all ways, and 
the fodder much superior to corn. 

''The farmers of the state have been too careless in 
selecting seed, and have let it get too late in maturing. 
I have kept the time of ripening down to September 10, 
and anyone can do this by selecting the earliest heads 
for a number of years." 

Adapted Sorghums and Areas. The preceding para- 
graphs have shown how the farmers of Kansas have dis- 
tributed throughout the state the acreages of the several 
sorghums. The areas to which the sorghums are adapted 
as viewed by G. E. Thompson, superintendent of branch 
agricultural experiment stations in Kansas, are shown on 
a map which he prepared for Kansas Farmer following 
the 1913 season and which is reproduced herewith. Three 
members of the Manhattan Experiment Station agronomy 
force concurred with Mr. Thompson in his conclusions. 
The determination of these areas is the result of the 
experience of farmers of each section, combined with the 
results and observations of the branch experiment sta- 
tions and co-operating demonstration farmers through- 
out the state. The sorghums adapted to each are: 

''Area No. 1 in the map shows where dwarf milo, fet- 
erita and Freed sorghum have been grown successfully 
for the production of grain. Dwarf black-hulled kafir 
and white-hulled kafir mature grain in the more favor- 
able seasons. Home-grown or northern-grown seed 
should be planted if obtainable. Freed sorghum and the 
early-maturing strains and black and red amber sorghum 
will mature seed. These varieties and kafir are all suit- 
able for forage production. 

"In Area No. 2, dwarf black-hulled kafir, white-hulled 
kafir, milo and feterita will mature seed in average sea- 
sons. The standard black-hulled kafir seldom makes a 
profitable seed crop. All varieties of kafir make excel- 
lent forage. Freed sorghum, amber sorghums and early- 
maturing varieties of orange sorghum do well in this 
area. 



136 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

"Dwarf milo, feterita and Freed sorghum are at home 
in Areas No. 2 and No. 3. The kafirs are also depend- 
able crops. Home-grown and northern-grown seed pro- 
duce better in Area No. 2 than does southern-grown seed. 
Southern-grown seed can be planted with success in 
Area No. 3. 

''Kafir does well in Areas Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5. The 
dwarf black-hulled kafir and the white-hulled kafir give 
best results in Area No. 2, while the standard black- 
hulled kafir is the favorite variety for Areas No. 4 and 
No. 5. 

''In Area No. 5, standard black-hulled kafir produces 
excellent forage, but is not satisfactory for grain yields. 
Orange sorghum is an excellent forage in this district." 

Asked why kafir was not satisfactory in grain yields 
for this area, L. E. Call, Professor of Agronomy for 
Kansas Agricultural College, writes: "We considered 
this area so well adapted to corn that kafir was an un- 
satisfactory grain crop, as corn will produce on the same 
acreage a much larger quantity of grain." 

Observations on Above Defined Areas. Feterita is 
undoubtedly the earliest maturing of the grain sorghums 
and, since it matured grain in Area No. 1 in 1913 in ad- 
vance of killing frosts, it seems — for the present at least 
— deserving of a place in that section of Kansas having 
the shortest growing season. Reference to the map 
showing the number of days in the growing season in 
the different sections of Kansas, and to those maps show- 
ing the frost dates, will aid in understanding why early- 
maturing crops are desirable in the Northwest. In an- 
other chapter I have discussed feterita in such detail as 
the facts regarding its usefulness seem to warrant. 
Dwarf milo matured in 1913 in the same area and gave 
good yields. Reference has several times herein been 
made to Freed sorghum — which is of Western Kansas 
origin and which is being developed for grain pro- 
duction. The kafirs are not of sufficiently early maturity 
to produce grain in the average season of this area. How- 



SORGHUM AREAS DEFINED 137 

ever, twelve years ago when I spent considerable time 
in this section, red kafir was maturing with reasonable 
certainty. It would seem that the kafirs could again be 
made to mature here, but with feterita and dwarf milo 
already maturing grain and with kafir and cane for 
forage, little might be gained as a result of the expendi- 
ture of time and energy necessary to develop grain- 
producing strains of kafir for the extreme Northwest. 

The dwarf black-hulled kafir recommended for Area 
No. 2 is a strain originated within the last few years by 
the Federal Department of Agriculture and is not as yet 
generally grown in Kansas. It is an important strain 
and I believe that through it will come the rejuvenating 
of the kafir industry of Kansas and Oklahoma. Its 
dwarfness is desirable, and its early maturity and purity 
will, if perpetuated by the farmer, re-establish kafir to 
the same degree of usefulness and grain dependability 
as it possessed twenty-five years ago. 

The white-hulled kafir has been grown at the Hays 
Station for several years and it is believed to have come 
originally from a Russell County farmer. Regarding it, 
L. E. Call, head of the agronomy department of the Man- 
hattan Agricultural Experiment Station, and who has 
supervision of agronomy work at Hays, says: "We have 
grown this variety at Hays with excellent success. We 
find it a little better adapted to conditions there than the 
standard black-hulled variety. It will mature in five 
days to a week earlier than the black-hulled, is a little 
more dwarfed in its habits of growth and a little more 
certain crop. We find it entirely satisfactory at Hays 
and as far as I know there are no objections to the crop 
when grown under Hays conditions." 

Area No. 3 is reduced from the territory formerly 
regarded as that best adapted to milo, by placing Pawnee, 
Edwards, Kiowa and Comanche counties in the area of 
kafir. This is because in parts of the three counties 
first named the chinch bugs have done so much damage 
to milo that farmers have practically quit growing it. 



138 



sorghums: sure money crops 



Reference to the milo map will reveal that the milo acre- 
age in the counties above named was small in 1912, and 
none of these has ever been in the list of the largest milo- 
growing counties of the Southwest. 

Area No. 4 is that in which the standard black-hulled 
kafir is the most useful sorghum crop. If reference is 
made to the rainfall map for Kansas, it will be seen that 




Mi\]) Showing Sections of Kansas to Wliicli the Several Varieties of 

Corn Are Adapted. 

this area includes the section of twenty-five inches or 
more of annual precipitation, and which area is the east- 
ern half of the state with a wedge-shaped addition on 
the west. This is the kafir-growing area of Kansas for 
such standard strains as are now in use, but to obtain 
the best results the seed should be selected for purity, for 
early maturity and heavy yielding type. 

Kafir is not popular with the farmers of Area No. 5, 
but we see no reason why they should not grow it to the 
same advantage as it is grown farther south in the eastern 
section of the state. Continued farming of the rolling- 
lands of Northeast Kansas and the loss of top soil follow- 
ing years of soil washing, has made much thin land in 
that area which, if planted to kafir, will yield a greater 
acre income than if planted to corn. As the live stock 



SORGHUM AREAS DEFINED 139 

industry develops in this area there is no doubt but that 
farmers will be justified in giving more attention to 
kafir and cane since these, unquestionably, are to become 
the silage crops of Kansas. The farmer of Eastern Kan- 
sas who is so fortunate as to have bottom land, will grow 
corn and alfalfa thereon, while on his uplands he will 
grow kafir and cane because these will give him the 
greater tonnage of silage or dry roughage. 

Adapted Corn Varieties for Kansas. It is not amiss 
that a discussion of sorghum-growing areas should be 
followed by a word relative to the several varieties of 
corn adapted to the several sections of Kansas. Be it 
understood that the varieties here designated are those 
which have been grown in and acclimated to the sections 
for which they are recommended, and are not those 
varieties of the same name which may have been grown in 
Northern Illinois or Iowa, or in other states under con- 
ditions of soil and climate widely varying from those 
prevailing in Kansas. In other words, choice, home- 
grown seed of the several varieties is recommended for 
the several sections indicated. The map and list of varie- 
ties was first printed in Kansas Farmer in the spring 
of 1913. The data were compiled from information 
obtained in every county of the state by the agronomy 
department of Kansas Agricultural College. 

Section 1 — Reid's Yellow Dent, Boone County White, 
Hiawatha Yellow Dent, Kansas Sunflower, local varieties. 

Section 2 — Kansas Sunflower, Iowa Silver Mine, Boone 
County White, Reid's Yellow Dent, Hogue's Yellow Dent, 
Nebraska White Prize, local varieties. 

Section 3 — Pride of Saline, Iowa Silver Mine, Albright, 
Calico, local varieties. 

Section 4 — Hildreth, Kansas Sunflower, Commercial 
White, Boone County White, Reid's Yellow Dent, Golden 
Beauty, local varieties. 

Section 5 — Kansas Sunflower, Hildreth, Boone County 
White. Iowa Silver Mine, Reid's Yellow Dent, McAuley, 
local varieties. 



SORGHUM AREAS DEFINED 141 

Besides these are many unnamed varieties of corn 
which give good comparative results for the sections in 
which they have for years been grown. 

It will be many years, probably, before any consider- 
able number of Kansas farmers will entirely discontinue 
corn growing. As evidenced by the records of the past, 
the western farmer is determined to grow corn. He 
loves the sound of the thump of the ear on the ''bumping" 
board. But, if he must grow corn, he can well afford to 
plant only those varieties which have proven the best 
adapted to his locality, and should make every effort to 
secure such seed. 

Oklahoma Sorghum Areas. Reference to the precip- 
itation map of Oklahoma will reveal why the farmers of 
that state have established kafir and milo as the most 
successful grain and feed crops for the several sections. 
It will prove instructive to compare the Oklahoma maps 
with the corresponding maps for Kansas. This compar- 
ison shows that the sorghum-growing practices of the 
corresponding sections of the two states are quite similar. 

The growing season of Oklahoma is longer than that 
of Kansas, but the annual precipitation is about the same, 
as is also the distribution of rainfall throughout the grow- 
ing season. Thus, Oklahoma has the same need for early- 
maturmg and dry-weather-evading crops as has Kansas. 
Oklahoma has one advantage over Kansas, however, in 
that sorghum crops which have failed to mature on the 
early rainfall have opportunity to receive the benefits 
of later rains and a better chance for maturity before 
killing frosts. However, following a dry midsummer in 
Oklahoma, as in Kansas, fall rains do not generally pre- 
cede killing frosts sufficiently long to mature crops, so 
that those strains of crops which mature on the early 
rainfall are to be sought. 

The map showing Oklahoma sorghum areas was re- 
drawn from a similar map printed by the Oklahoma Farm 
Journal. The editor, John Fields, has carefully studied 
the adaptability of the several sorghums to each area. 



SORGHUM AREAS DEFINED 148 

His conclusions are based upon his investigation of the 
performance of the several crops on the farms of the 
respective sections. He thus explains the map: 

'Tor the dark shaded area, milo is the chief grain 
crop, with kafir as a supplemental crop for forage. The 
sweet sorghums are satisfactory for forage in this area, 
except, possibly, in Cimarron County and the western 
part of Texas County. 

"The next area east, or that light-dotted in the map, 
is the area in which kafir is the chief grain and forage 
crop. Milo is recommended as a supplemental grain crop 
for planting on wheat and oats stubble and where cotton 
fails to make a stand. 

"In the unshaded area farmers should adhere closely 
to kafir and corn and plant but little milo." Mr. Fields 
recommends that in this area corn be planted on bottom 
lands only. 

Farm by Safe System. A farming system that is 
really "safe" — dependable — will appeal to every farmer. 
Such system is that for which every farmer is working 
and hoping. Some are seeking it more persistently than 
others. Many are not seeking it — at least, not working 
for it — but are hoping that it will be evolved and handed 
them, ready-made, and guaranteed proof against failure. 
The most dependable system of farming will come only 
to the man who works it out for himself. The same 
"system" will not work with all farmers, nor on all farms 
in a community, and may not work even on adjoining 
farms. But with every sorghum belt farmer and on 
every sorghum belt farm the same principles are involved 
in any successful farming plan. These have been set 
down for Oklahoma by Mr. Fields, and so well do they 
apply in general to Kansas and other parts of the sor- 
ghum belt, that they are here printed: 

"A system of farming, based upon experience and ex- 
periment in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, where rain- 
fall is always variable and often deficient, and where 
strong winds and high summer temperatures introduce 



144 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

conditions unknown to farmers of the Northern and 
Atlantic Coast states, has been developed and should be 
generally adopted. 

'The general plan of operation should be the follow- 
ing: 

''Corn should be planted only on lands which have 
yielded not less than twenty-five bushels of corn to the 
acre, at least one year in the last five. 

"Every acre of rich, well-drained bottom land which 
does not overflow frequently or for long periods of time 
should be put to alfalfa as soon as possible. 

"The smooth, tillable uplands and prairies should never 
be planted to corn. They should instead be planted to 
kafir, milo, or some other variety of sorghum for a sure 
crop of grain for feed and sale, and for filling silos and 
providing rough feed ; to peanuts and cowpeas for feed 
and forage and soil improvement; and to cotton, wheat, 
oats and broomcorn for cash crops, wherever soil and 
climate are suitable. 

"The washy soils, hillsides, rough places, alkali lands, 
and overflow bottoms should be set to hardy bermuda 
grass, wherever this grass thrives. 

"Those who follow a safe system of farming such as 
this, modifying it to fit local conditions, and feed most 
of their crops to good live stock, will be the ultimate 
owners of all the good farms in the Southwest." 

With the above should be read these paragraphs from 
one of Mr. Field's editorials under the heading, "Pursu- 
ing a Phantom," and in which he recites the advantages 
of growing the sorghums as compared with growing corn 
in the several sections of Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. 
He says: 

"In Texas, the development of the immense area west 
of the line of thirty inches average annual rainfall has 
been hampered and delayed by continuing attempts to 
grow corn where corn will not mature a paying crop. 

"The production of corn requires more than a fertile 
soil; the kind of sky under which it is planted is fully 



SORGHUM AREAS DEFINED 145 

as important as the quality of soil. And in persisting in 
attempts to make of corn a profitable crop where its fre- 
quent failures have brought repeated disasters, 'each 
pursues his favorite phantom.' 

''No appropriations for 'soil surveys' are necessary in 
order to determine the lands where the chances are at 
least one to five that corn may produce a profitable crop. 
Every man who owns a farm may determine it for him- 
self by considering his own corn yields during the last 
five years. 

"Sure feed crops — the kafirs, peanuts, cowpeas, and 
alfalfa — and live stock to consume them, should be con- 
sidered first and cash crops second, when attempting to 
forecast the net financial outcome of a season's opera- 
tions on any farm." 

Milo and Feterita as Catch Crops. The use of milo 
and feterita as catch crops is important to the Oklahoma 
farmer. In normal seasons they well serve such purpose. 
The longer growing season in that state, as compared 
with Kansas, will permit them to mature grain following 
the early harvest of other crops. The suggestion of such 
usage is worth investigating on the part of Kansas farm- 
ers in the one or two southern tiers of counties and east 
of Barber and Kingman counties. In this locality when 
the ground has considerable moisture following early 
harvest, milo and feterita will grow extra grain, accept- 
able to most farmers, if planted as catch crops. This is 
a plan which cannot be successfully practiced far north 
of the south line of Kansas and ordinarily will not be 
successful on the south line of the west half of the state. 

Precipitation and Growing Season for Sorghum Belt. 
The map on the following page is that of the sorghum belt. 
It shows the several precipitation belts extending from 
the southern to the northern boundary, also the average 
number of days in the growing season of the several sec- 
tions beginning at ihe gulf on the south, and extending 
to the Kansas-Nebraska line. The lines running north 
and south, or from top to bottom, mark the precipitation 




Map of Sorghum Belt. Showing Anniuil Precipitation and Days of 
Growing Season for the Several Sections. 



SORGHUM AREAS DEFINED 147 

of the several areas, the figures showing the annual pre- 
cipitation for the territory included between the lines. 
Those lines extending from left to right, or across the 
map, mark the average number of days in the growing 
season for the several areas. This map illustrates on a 
single page much of the preceding discussion. The data 
making this map possible were compiled after the fore- 
going maps had been prepared and the explanation put 
into t3^pe, else the general plan of presentation might 
have been changed. The map is the result of months of 
correspondence in an effort to obtain the data which 
would permit the placing of a particular line thereon. 
The figures were not obtained in time to allow the use of 
the map in the way originally intended. 

Where to Grow Kafir, Milo and Feterita. One of the 
most careful students of the annual precipitation required 
b}^ the several grain sorghums is H. E. Horton, Agricul- 
tural Commissioner of the American Steel and Wire Com- 
pany. For his company Mr. Horton has spared neither 
time nor money in an effort to locate the areas to which 
kafir, milo and feterita are best adapted. Aside from 
personal familiarity with grain sorghums and sorghum 
areas, he has enlisted the aid of farmers, agricultural 
experiment stations, co-operative demonstration farmers,, 
and county agricultural agents, in arriving at his con- 
clusions. His companj^ has been active the past few 
years in acquainting the farmers of the Southwest with 
the sorghums. This is a splendid example of a corpora- 
tion employing the best talent at its command in the 
search of information which would point its patrons to 
a greater prosperity. This company has spread Mr. 
Horton's findings through pamphlets and posters to 
every farmer and business man in the sorghum belt and 
its tons of printed matter have done much toward extend- 
ing the acreage of sorghums and to bring about a more 
general use of and dependence in them. As a result of 
Mr. Horton's investigations he prepared a poster, which 
was distributed in the spring of 1914, on which he 




P 
.9. 



o 
7j 






5i ^ 

O o 
? bJO 






o 



f^ 









SORGHUM AREAS DEFINED 149 

assigned kafir, milo and feterita to the areas of precip- 
itation described below: 

For 40 to 50 inches of annual precipitation : 'Tlant 
kafir only as substitute for corn, milo incidentally." 

For 30 to 40 inches: 'Tlant kafir only as substitute 
for corn, milo for late planting, feterita incidentally." 

For 25 to 30 inches: 'Tlant kafir and milo as a sub- 
stitute for corn, feterita as alternative for milo." 

For 20 to 25 inches: 'Tlant dwarf kafir and dwarf 
milo for grain, feterita for hogging down." 

For 20 inches of annual precipitation and less : 'Tlant 
dwarf milo and perhaps feterita for grain." 

After reading the above, refer to the map on the oppo- 
site page. Study the map, locate your farm and, with 
the annual precipitation in mind, choose the crop to grow. 
There are 200,000 square miles in the Southwest partic- 
ularly adapted to growing the three crops — kafir, milo 
and feterita. There is a place for each of these crops 
and no one should be grown to the disadvantage and 
elimination of the others. The above statements by Mr. 
Horton are brief and necessarily so on account of the 
manner in which he used them. These explanations 
seem warranted inasmuch as I feel safe in interpreting 
his thought : 

For the area of 40 to 50 inches of annual precipitation, 
standard black-hulled kafir should be planted on all up- 
lands. Milo may be planted after July 1. If the fall is 
wet, as in 1913, the crop will be seriously damaged by 
the seed germinating while still on the stalk in the field. 

Where the annual precipitation is 30 to 40 inches, 
plant black-hulled kafir in the place of corn on all up- 
lands and for late planting on bottoms. Plant milo after 
July 1, on uplands. Feterita may be planted after July 1 
for a trial. 

For the area of 25 to 30 inches, black-hulled kafir is 
the standard grain crop for all uplands and for a con- 
siderable part of the bottom lands. If planting is done 



150 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

after July 1, use milo. Feterita may be tried on a small 
scale on each farm. 

Where 20 to 25 inches of precipitation is received, 
black-hulled kaf ir is the standard grain on the best lands 
and dwarf milo on the uplands, particularly where they 
are heavy. Small areas of feterita may be planted as 
an experiment. 

For the area of 16 inches or less of annual precipita- 
tion, feterita promises to become a standard crop, al- 
though in those sections of Colorado and New Mexico on 
sandy lands milo has to date given the highest yields. 

''Be careful ! The adaptability of a crop for a locality 
is only proven after at least five years' growing and 
careful comparison with other crops under identical con- 
ditions. Don't give up kafir growing without the five- 
year reason," is a caution which Mr. Horton includes in 
his poster. There is much good sense in those few lines. 
Do not be in too big a hurry to determine the value of 
any new and untried crop. To try a few acres of a prom- 
ising crop is worthy of commendation. Give it several 
years of trial. Do not be governed by a single year's 
showing. 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 

There is little doubt that the sorghum acreage in the 
better corn-growing sections of Kansas, Oklahoma and 
Texas, would at this time be greater except for the pre- 
vailing belief that all sorghums are ''hard on the land." 
Years ago I sent a friend in New York State a half bushel 
of alfalfa seed with instructions for planting. Fortun- 
ately he obtained a fine stand and secured good yields. 
After a few years he plowed up the field because of the 
fear of his adjoining neighbors that alfalfa would prove 
a pest and take their farms. At this time New York 
farmers are in many instances actually making over 
their land that they may grow alfalfa. To the Kansan, 
who knows better, the fear of the New Yorker is ridic- 
ulous. But his mistake is no more inexcusable than is 
that of Kansans who refuse to grow sorghums and so 
avail themselves of the surest feed crops, because of the 
fear that they are "hard on the land." 

Farm lands are of no value unless they are made to 
produce useful and profitable crops. Nothing is gained 
by maintaining or accumulating soil fertility unless that 
fertility is put to work and adds something to the sum 
total of the country's prosperity. The adaptability of 
the crop to the soil and seasonal conditions and its use- 
fulness in the general plan of farming, should govern the 
kind of crop grown. For every section there is a crop- 
ping plan by which the fertility of the soil can be con- 
served and which farming methods will so operate as 
to prove more profitable than if plant food is used extrav- 
agantly or wasted. Indeed, on many farms the greatest 
loss in fertility is not through that actually used by crops 
grown, but through generally poor soil handling. There 
is no good reason why sorghums should not be grown by 

151 



152 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

the farmers of any section whose needs and conditions 
demand such crops. 

The sorghums leave the land dry, and unless plowing 
is preceded by liberal moisture, the soil turns up lumpy 
and in bad physical condition generally. It is well known 
that wheat or rye drilled in sorghum stalks or stubble 
the fall following the sorghums, usually does not grow 
well and the crop often fails. This condition, no doubt, 
is responsible for the common belief that sorghums are 
''hard on the land." The failure of these crops follow- 
ing sorghums is not due to lack of soil fertility, but to 
lack of moisture and available plant food. The absence 
of the moisture needed, immediately after planting, is 
generally recognized as the principal contributing cause 
for the failure of small grain crops to do well when 
seeded in the fall following the harvesting of a sorghum 
crop. Sorghum lands should be thoroughly disked or 
plowed immediately after the removal of the crop. This 
gives the land a chance to absorb moisture, which, with 
the winter's freezing, will put it in condition for suc- 
cessful seeding the following season. The successful 
growing of other crops on sorghum lands, as is indicated 
by experience and observation, is wholly a matter of soil 
handling, as is evidenced below. 

Oklahoma Station Figures. The Oklahoma Agricul- 
tural Experiment Station reports the amount of plant 
food removed from the soil by 30 bushels of kafir as 
compared with 30 bushels of corn, as follows: Kafir 
removes 32.9 pounds of nitrogen; 6.5 pounds potassium 
oxid, and 10.4 pounds phosphorus pentoxide. Com re- 
moves 30.6 pounds nitrogen ; 6.8 pounds potassium oxid, 
and 11 pounds phosphorus pentoxide. It will be noted 
that the difference in the amount of each constituent of 
plant food required by an equal number of bushels of 
the two crops is too small to take into account in farm 
practice. The chemist who made the above figures, adds : 
''It must be concluded that kafir is not injurious so far 



GRAm SORGHUM FARMING 153 

as the chemical constituents of the soil may be con- 
cerned." 

Successive Kafir Cropping at Manhattan. Kafir has 
been grown on the farm of the Manhattan, Kansas, Agri- 
cultural Experiment Station each year since 1889 with- 
out apparent damaging effect on the soil. On several 
fields kafir has been grown several successive years with 
no perceptible shortening of yield of succeeding crops. 
This has also been the experience of many good farmers 
with whom I have talked. However, the practice of suc- 
cessive kafir or cane cropping is not to be commended, 
more than the growing of wheat or corn on the same 
field for many successive years. The effects of sorghum 
cropping are most noticeable in the case of wheat in the 
fall or oats in the spring — crops which need moisture at 
once and before the cultivation of the sorghum land will 
permit the accumulation of normal moisture and the mel- 
lowing of the soil by the elements, and this is the observa- 
tion w^hich has inspired the ''hard on land" idea. 

Federal Department of Agriculture View. *'It is 

maintained that when land has become too poor and thin 
to raise corn or small grains, two or three good crops of 
sorghum may be obtained from it and the land will be 
left in better condition for corn, cotton, and other surface 
feeding crops," says Farmers' Bulletin No. 50, of the 
Federal Department of Agriculture. 'In California and 
elsewhere good yields are obtained on soils containing a 
high percentage of alkali and hence it is regarded as a 
good crop to use in rotations for such lands. 

"Sorghum is generally regarded as harder on land 
than corn, and this is undoubtedly true to a great extent 
since it is a deeper feeder and two or more crops are 
often harvested in a single season. Still, there are many 
instances of sorghum being grown on the same field for 
many years without any apparent lessening of the quan- 
tity or quality of the crop from the impoverishing of the 
land, and there are many soils that are undoubtedly 
benefited by the deep-growing roots of the sorghum 



154 



sorghums: sure money crops 



plant. * * * As sorghum is grown in many places, it 
is certainly not as hard on the land as most other crops. 
When planted late, sown with cowpeas or field peas, and 
cut before the seeds ripen, the land is left in excellent 
condition, especially if it is plowed soon after the crop 
is taken off." 




Sceiii' on Farm of E. S. Kule. Barber County. Kaiisas.^ — Dairy Cows 
Fed Kafir Silage Make Big Money on Tliis Farm. 



The ''sorghums" to which reference is above made are 
the sweet sorghums or those commonly designated as 
cane. 

Thinks Kafir Benefits Land. "That kafir is hard on 
land, is all nonsense," writes J. C. McClellan, land owner 
and president of the Tradesmen's State Bank of Okla- 
homa City. ''Kafir grows long after frost has killed 
other crops and as long as it grows it draws moisture 
from the ground and consequently leaves the ground dry. 
So many farmers fail to plow this land in the fall or 
winter and when they try to plow it the next spring they 
find it dry and soddy and jump at the conclusion that 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 155 

kafir is hard on the land. Every farmer should fall plow 
the kafir fields. 

''Kafir forces the farmer to fall or winter plow, and 
for that reason alone is one of his best crops. On land 
where I grew forty bushels of kafir per acre, I grew 
thirty-five bushels of oats per acre the spring following. 
I believe the kafir actually helped the land. 

''Many farmers plant kafir on their poorest land. I 
say no land is too good for kafir. The better the land, 
and the oftener the kafir is cultivated, the better the 
quality and the larger the yield. The day is coming when 
kafir will be the standard feeding crop of the Southwest. 
Kafir silage is a money-maker for cattle men. I am for 
kafir because it is a sure, safe crop, specially adapted to 
Oklahoma." 

Rotation for Sorghum-Growing Farms. It is appar- 
ent from the condition in which the sorghums leave the 
soil, that a method of soil handling is necessary which 
will give opportunity to restore the normal physical con- 
dition before other crops are planted. This is accom- 
plished by a rotation of crops, which is not only bene- 
ficial to the soil in overcoming the effects of sorghum 
growing, but which results in better yields of all crops 
and in the most profitable use of the soil. Crop rotation 
is needed to permit conservation of moisture, the liber- 
ating of plant food and the maintenance of a permanent 
system of agriculture. To accomplish this, farmers must 
grow, in rotation with each other, crops which feed dif- 
ferently on the soil — that is, to different depths, and 
which take from the soil the different elements of plant 
food in different quantities and combinations, and which 
have different physical effects on the soil. 

"The best crops to plant after sorghums are those that 
are not planted for several months after the sorghum 
crop is removed or until late in the spring," writes A. H. 
Leidigh, assistant professor in crops at the Manhattan, 
Kansas, Agricultural Experiment Station. "In Central 
Kansas these are such crops as the sorghums, corn, mil- 



156 sorghums: sure money crops 

let, or cowpeas. In Western Kansas, the best policy is 
to attempt to accumulate even more moisture than can 
be secured by the time for seeding the above crops. To 
do this, a spring-plowed, summer-fallowed field, which 
is the highest type of dry farming, is needed. The aim 
of the fallow is to accumulate in the soil a supply of 
moisture to last for several months. After the fallow, 
winter wheat may be sown on sorghum fields and no 
doubt entertained as to its successful growth. 

''Any field which is kept in a bare condition and culti- 
vated to conserve moisture and prepare plant food, is 
said to be fallow. Such a practice is a very profitable 
method of farming, where irregularity in the rainfall is 
feared or where enough moisture cannot be secured for 
the crop by following ordinary methods." 

Rotations for Kansas. The following rotations for 
Kansas are recommended by W. M. Jardine, director of 
the Manhattan, Kansas, Agricultural Experiment Sta- 
tion: 

''First year, sorghums, kafir or milo for grain or sweet 
sorghum (cane) for forage. 

"Second year, summer fallow. The sorghums leave 
the ground depleted of moisture and available plant food 
and the fallow brings the soil back to normal condition 
ready for wheat. The fallow is followed by wheat. 

"Thus we have two crops in three years — one of sor- 
ghums and one of wheat — two money crops for Western 
Kansas. If properly carried out, this rotation will 
almost insure two good crops in three years. Whenever 
practicable, with this rotation we advocate the planting 
of fall rye after removing the sorghums, or at any time 
after the last cultivation is given. If the fall happens 
to be wet the rye will make splendid pasture. It undoubt- 
edly will make good spring pasture and can be plowed 
under any time in May, or even to the middle of June. 
The land should then lie cultivated — not in a dusty con- 
dition, for in this condition the soil would blow — until 
wheat planting time in the fall. 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 15 



n 



"As we proceed eastward from the western boundary 
of Kansas the moisture gradually increases, so that in 
the vicinity of the 100th meridian we have a rainfall of 
approximately 22 or 23 inches annually. 

''Under this rainfall we believe the following rotation 
will make the farmers the most money : Summer fallow 
followed by winter wheat two years in succession, the 
ground for the second crop of winter wheat being listed 
or plowed as early as practical after the first crop of 
wheat has been removed, the second crop of wheat to 
be followed by a sorghum crop. This gives three crops 
from the land in four years, while the first named rota- 
tion, the one we recommend for more severe conditions 
as regards drouths, brings two crops in three years." 

The Eastern Kansas farmer, whether or not he grows 
sorghums, needs a crop rotation, but it is not within the 
scope of this book to enumerate all the cropping 
combinations which can be used to advantage in the dif- 
ferent sections of the state. The farmer of every section 
should understand why a proper succession of crops is 
necessary and then perfect a system of cropping adapted 
to his conditions and needs. 

Rotations for Oklahoma. The Stillwater, Oklahoma, 
Agricultural Experim.ent Station recommends the follow- 
ing rotations for sorghum-growing farms : 

''Rotation 1 : First year cotton, second year kafir or 
milo, third year oacs and cowpeas. 

"Rotation 2 : First year cotton, second year kafir or 
milo, third year wheat and cowpeas. 

"In the above two rotations cowpeas are sown after 
the oats or wheat are harvested and the crops are plowed 
under as green manure. 

"Rotation 3 : First year wheat, second year kafir or 
milo, third year cowpeas, fourth year wheat and cow- 
peas. 

"Rotation 4: First year wheat and cowpeas, second 
year kafir or milo, third year cowpeas, fourth year corn. 

"In the third rotation cowpeas are used the third year 



158 



sorghums: sure money crops 



as a regular farm crop, and the fourth year plowed under 
as green manure. In the fourth rotation cowpeas the 
first year are used as a green manuring crop, and third 
year as a farm crop." 




Field of Mongrel Kafir Grown in Western Oklahoma, 1913. — Badly 
Mixed with Cane and Broom Corn. — Yield of Grain and Forage Low. 



Cane Varieties. Since the sweet sorghums or that 
family of plants commonly called ''cane" are not grown 
for grain for feeding purposes, they have generally been 
given little consideration in the matter of selecting varie- 
ties best adapted to the farmer's conditions or in keeping' 
the seed pure. They are mostly grown for forage, and 
generally speaking, all cane forage is regarded as of 
equal value. However, there is a difference in time of 
maturity, dry weather resistance, tonnage yield, and in 
the character of the forage, which makes adapted cane 
as essential as adapted grain sorghums, for the several 
sections. 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 159 

For the best cane forage it is necessary that the crop 
reach maturity before killing frosts, since at that stage 
it possesses the highest feeding value. So there are 
early-maturing varieties for high altitudes and short 
growing seasons, and medium late varieties for the lower 
altitudes and longer growing seasons, the height of 
stalk and yield varying correspondingly. There are 
varieties more leafy than others, and w^hich, on this 
account, make better forage. Some varieties produce 
more seed than others and as a cash market crop have a 
great advantage over the lighter seeded kinds. The seed 
of pure strains of any adapted crop gives seed and forage 
yields superior to the seed of mixed strains, and even in 
growing cane the application of the same intelligent selec- 
tion and care as in the case of other crops, will pay. 

The leading varieties of cane adapted to the several 
sections of Kansas are briefly described on page 53, but 
the situation warrants this detailed description pub- 
lished in the Sorghum Primer, a book distributed by the 
Kansas Agricultural College in 1912 : 

Amber. ''Amber is a thin-stalked, narrow-leaved, 
early-maturing variety. There are many different 
strains of amber sorghum. The most important are black 
amber and red amber. Amber is useful as a catch crop 
variety or for the "production of early feed or for syrup 
in Central and Eastern Kansas. In Western Kansas it 
is the best saccharine variety. On account of the alti- 
tude, which shortens the season in that part of the state, 
many other sorghums are unable to ripen, whereas amber 
usually will mature fully before frost." 

Orange. ''Orange sorghum is a very popular variety. 
It is medium late in maturity ; has a medium heavy stalk, 
and fairly wide leaves. The head is somewhat bunched, 
and appears orange, or dark orange-red, in color. This 
sorghum is raised all over Kansas, and is used for all 
purposes to which a saccharine sorghum is suited." 

Sumac. "Sumac is a late broad-leaved variety. The 
head has an erect, stocky appearance. The head is small, 



160 sorghums: sure money crops 

compact, and of a wine color. The sumac sorghum seed 
is the smallest of any of our important varieties. The 
black glumes are short and scarcely surround one-half 
of the seed. Because of the smallness of the seed, the 
variety is an especially cheap one to buy for seeding, 
since there are many more seeds in a bushel than is the 
case with the large-seeded varieties. This variety is 
especially desirable for silage and for syrup." 

Gooseneck. 'This is the only saccharine variety hav- 
ing pendent or 'gooseneck' heads; some of the heads do 
not hang down. It is a late-maturing variety, with tall, 
thick stalks. The leaves are very long and broad. The 
heads are somewhat compact and more than one-half as 
wide as long ; black in color, due to the black silky glumes 
which almost hide the rather small reddish seeds. Goose- 
neck is not widely grown, but is a valuable syrup variety." 

Kafir Varieties. In the preceding pages such fre- 
quent reference has been made to the several varieties 
of kafir as to make extended reference here unnec- 
essary. However, it seems essential that it be under- 
stood that the standard black-hulled kafir of pure 
strain and of home-grown seed is the variety which will 
give the best results in the eastern two-thirds of Kansas, 
Oklahoma and Texas — the section of those states having 
the longest growing season and the heaviest annual pre- 
cipitation. The dwarf black-hulled as it is being devel- 
oped at the Hays, Kansas, Agricultural Experiment Sta- 
tion, is specially adapted to the sections of lighter pre- 
cipitation and shorter growing season. Its dwarfness 
makes it desirable from a harvesting standpoint since its 
heads can be gathered with an ordinary wheat header. 
The Hays station, as formerly reported, is developing a 
white-hulled — which is not the white-hulled of twenty 
years ago — that is of earlier maturity and more dwarfed 
in its habits than the dwarf black-hulled. 

These two latter sorghums are especially promising for 
Western Kansas. The available seed supply of these is 
as yet limited. As farmers are able to obtain seed of 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 161 

such strains they should be careful to maintain purity 
and so receive the benefits of those characteristics which 
make them valuable — dwarfness and early maturity. 
The dwarf and early-maturing varieties of kafir are 
important to Western Oklahoma and Texas, and are now 
more generally grown there than in Kansas. 

The red and white varieties of twenty-five years ago 
are no longer generally grown. The red then grown was 
of early maturity, but a light yielder. The white was 
later in maturity and a heavier yielder, but the heads 
failed to shoot clear of the boot and this fault was so 
objectionable as to place the variety in great disfavor. 
The markets for kafir have been established on the black- 
hulled and the standard and dwarfed of this variety are 
those which seem to warrant general patronage from a 
marketing standpoint. 

Milo Varieties. The improved and dwarfed milos pos- 
sess the same advantages for the milo-growing sections 
as do the corresponding varieties of kafir for those sec- 
tions having a precipitation and length of growing sea- 
son adapted to kafir. There are numerous varieties of 
milo and they are more varying in their manner of 
growth than the kafirs as we know them. The original 
and unimproved varieties grew from three to ten feet 
high, and the heads were pendent or goose-necked. The 
goose-necked heads were a nuisance from every stand- 
point in harvesting, storing and feeding. The stooling 
and branching was objectionable because each stalk pro- 
duced a head, these ripening at different dates but none 
as early as the main head. Uniform height and ripening 
are necessary in any grain crop if the harvesting is to 
be easy and effective. 

Beginning about 1903, the development of milo as a 
grain crop has progressed rapidly by selecting seed and 
propagating plants with desirable characteristics. Selec- 
tion has resulted in obtaining uniformity in height, in 
practically eliminating the pendent head, stooling and 
branching have been almost wholly overcome, and earlier 



162 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



maturity has been obtained. Since the tendency of the 
plant is to revert to its original form, it is apparent how 
careful the grower should be in selecting seed if he would 
maintain the desirable characteristics. 

The milo now regarded as of greatest value in Texas, 
Oklahoma and Kansas, is the improved yellow milo which 
has been dwarfed to a uniform height of four and one- 




Freed Sorgo or Cane — Developed by J. K. Freed, Scott County. 
Kansas. — Especially Adapted for Seed for Production in West- 
ern Kansas. 



half feet when growing at an altitude of about three 
thousand feet, but growing taller or shorter as the grow- 
ing conditions are more or less favorable. A true dwarf 
strain with erect heads, growing three to three and one- 
half feet in height, has been developed during recent 
years and is by growers regarded as the most desirable 
variety. 

The milo introduced into Southwestern Kansas in 1906 
by the Kansas Agricultural College and the Federal De- 
partment of Agriculture, was dwarf yellow milo. The 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 163 

results have been remarkable, although the introduction 
was undertaken at a time when conditions were extreme- 
ly unfavorable. The success of milo in this instance is 
a good example of adaptation. The seed was introduced 
from farther south than the adaptability of the plant 
justified and at first it was not so successful as was ex- 
pected. But the continued selection and planting of 
home-grown seed, after a few years made it adapted to 
the existing conditions. This seed was gradually moved 
north across the state until it reached the north line and 
in so unfavorable a season as 1913 milo matured in every 
county in the western third of Kansas. This performance 
teaches an important lesson in the desirability and the 
value of acclimated seed and shows how necessary it is 
that the farmer exercise great care in selecting from his 
own fields such seed as he needs for planting, or at least 
the planting of seed grown in his community. 

Kansas Milo Yields. I have met many farmers in 
the milo growing area of Kansas who knew little about 
the crop and their first question was, **What will it 
yield?" This is a pertinent question regarding any crop. 
However, many a man who should be thankful for an 
average 10 or 12-bushel acre yield during a ten-year 
period, will condemn a crop because he thinks a crop 
yielding less than thirty-five or forty bushels is not 
worth while. What the sorghum belt needs is a crop that 
is near certain of yielding something in the most un- 
favorable seasons. We have seen milo yields varying 
from nothing to fifty-five bushels in the same season on 
adjoining farms. The varying yields have not been 
wholly the fault of milo as a crop. There were other 
reasons controlled only by the grower. We have known 
of 100-bushel acre yields in Kansas. 

During the summer of 1913 Kansas Farmer addressed 
letters to a number of growers in each of the counties 
of the western third of Kansas, asking them to report 
their growing methods and success with milo. The re- 
plies on several points will be printed in this and follow- 



164 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



ing chapters. A summary of these reports on yields for 
a period averaging six years, shows acre yields ranging 
from nothing to 66 bushels. Many correspondents re- 
porting stated that they never threshed milo but fed it 
in the head and could not make a bushel yield estimate. 
The replies showed greatly varying preparation of the 
seed bed, planting methods and source of seed, account- 




Field of Well-Bred Kafir GroAvn Near Weatlieifoid, Oklahoma. ]913. 



ing for the varying yields on farms in the same locality. 
Here are some acre yields : 

Have never measured ; about 15 bushels I would guess. 
— H. C. La Tourette, Decatur County. 

About 40 bushels in 1912. — C. A. Calkins, Hamilton 
County. 

From 10 to 15 bushels. — A. L. Hicks, Norton County. 

Ten to 15 bushels. — C. R. Henry, Cheyenne County. 

About six bushels. — George Shields, Sheridan County. 

From 15 to 23 bushels. — Agricultural Experiment 
Sub-station, Ford County. 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 165 

Fifteen bushels per acre. — Lee McKissick, Clark 
County. 

From 50 to 66 bushels to the acre. — J. W. Patterson, 
Stevens County. 

From very small yields up to 36 bushels. — C. W. As- 
kew, Ness County. 

We estimate 20 bushels, but as we feed so much before 
threshing this is only an estimate. — Monroe Traver, 
Stevens County. 

Twenty to 40 bushels. — J. A. Clark, Ness County. 

Seventeen bushels. — C. M. Jennison, Lane County. 

Have had yields as high as 50 bushels but the whole 
crop does not yield over 20 bushels usually. — M. L. 
Brooks, Scott County. 

On account of chinch bugs, my 1912 yield was not as 
good per acre as kafir — about seven bushels per acre. — 
G. J. Stauth, Ford County. 

Fifteen to 40 bushels. — M. C. Campbell Ranch, Clark 
County. 

Methods of Seed Bed Preparation. A good seed bed 
for corn will prove a good seed bed for the sorghums. 
The grower of sorghums should not be content with less 
preparation than he would give for corn. In the pro- 
portion that the conditions are adverse to crop growing, 
in just that proportion should attention be given to the 
more thorough preparation in advance of planting and 
to proper cultivation during the growing season. The 
field should be prepared with these objects in view: To 
store and conserve moisture, to permit of deep rooting 
by the plant, and to free the ground from weeds. The 
cultivation should be effective in conserving moisture 
and in preventing weeds from utilizing soil moisture 
needed by the crop. 

The heavier soils should be thoroughly plowed at least 
every other year. Such soils are those generally pre- 
vailing in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, east of the 
98th meridian and having 30 to 40 inches of rainfall. 
They are not generally subject to serious damage by 



166 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

blowing. Deep fall plowing alternated with fall listing 
or early spring disking will give good seed bed results 
in such sections. This treatment will increase the mois- 
ture-holding reservoir, maintain a condition favorable 
to moisture accumulation, and will permit of deep root- 
ing by growing plants in seasons when surface moisture 
is insufficient. 

Deep plowing of the lighter soils west of the 98th 
meridian in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, is not so 
beneficial or necessary as in the case of the heavier soils, 
but it is essential that methods of soil handling be fol- 
lowed which will permit of moisture accumulation. Such 
methods involve deeper plowing than is ordinarily 
practiced. It is certain that shallow plowing year after 
year, and disking without plowing year after year, is 
responsible for much of the damage done by soil blowing 
in the West. Both operations should be carefully done 
in the West and Southwest. The details of western soil 
handling methods are described below by men whose 
work in the field has demonstrated the practicability 
of such methods: 

Western Kansas Practices. Agricultural Agent Clyde 
McKee found these methods of soil handling satisfactory 
in Northwest Kansas: 

'Tall listing seemed to be exceedingly beneficial; it 
holds snow, prevents soil washing, and conserves mois- 
ture. It is more economical than plowing and should 
be done in the fall as early as possible. Listing is the 
surest method of preventing soil drifting. 

''Double listing in the spring in preparation for spring 
crops was not very successful; this method probably 
should not be used if the listing is not done immediately 
after the frost leaves the ground. If there is any delay, 
disking is to be preferred. 

"Early disking in advance of listing for spring crops 
gave splendid results. In general, the ground listed 
easier and a better stand was obtained, crops made a 
better early growth, land was free from weeds and cul- 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 167 

tivated easier. On one farm, early disking for corn in- 
creased the yield one-third over that obtained from 
ground not disked and similar results were obtained on 
many farms with sorghums." 

Implements for Soil Cultivation. Director Jardine of 
the Manhattan, Kansas, Agricultural Experiment Sta- 
tion, writes : 

^'Almost invariably when we propose that the farmers 
summer fallow a portion of their land, they protest by 
saying that if they till their land as is usually prescribed 
in the summer fallow, it will all blow away before plant- 
ing time. 

''We are attempting, therefore, and with complete suc- 
cess, to maintain a summer-tilled field so that its soil 
will not be shifted and blown away. 

"We have used and are now using different tillage 
implements for this purpose. The disk harrow, so com- 
monly used in cultivating the fallow, is a dangerous tool 
to use in Western Kansas on the summer fallow. It 
pulverizes the top surface too completely ; that is, it leaves 
the soil too fine ordinarily. The sugar beet cultivator 
and the John Deere alfalfa cutter that runs on wheels, 
are the two best implements we have thus far found with 
which to till the fallow and to prevent the soil from 
blowing. Weeds can be effectively kept down with 
either of these implements and the top soil maintained 
in a cloddy condition rather than pulverized. 

"Ground that is plowed thoroughly to a considerable 
depth in May after the most severe winds are over, and 
then worked with either of the two implements above 
mentioned, is left in good condition to absorb the rain- 
fall and to retain it thereafter. In handling the summer 
fallow, or in fact, in working any of the land in Western 
Kansas which we have under our control, we always 
work it at right angles to the prevailing wind and in 
long narrow strips. Under this method of operating 
we have been able to completely control the blowing and 
the shifting of the soil. 



168 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

"Farmers operating in the Great Plains area where 
the shifting of soils gives trouble, will find that they 
can hold the soil in place, either where summer tillage 
is practiced or otherwise, if they will work it with the 
implements described above and in the manner herewith 
stated. We are finding also that the lister is a good 
implement with which to plow the ground where blow- 
ing gives trouble. Good results are being obtained 
under fall listing, the ground being gradually worked 
down with suitable implements as the season advances 
until at planting time a thoroughly firm and suitable 
seed bed for wheat is provided." 

Listing in Sheridan County, Kansas. **If the experi- 
ence acquired in producing fourteen consecutive crops 
stands for anything, it shows conclusively that a listed 
crop properly handled in Sheridan County is not a 
gamble, but is as certain to be profitable as any crop 
grown in the $100 to $200 per acre section of the 
country," wrote M. G. Blackman of Sheridan County, 
Kansas, in March, 1913. 

''I have found fall listing of decided value some sea- 
sons, while in others the advantage was not so marked. 
Disking in the early spring before listing is good all the 
time. It should be remembered that a poor job of list- 
ing lasts all summer — in fact I am inclined to think it 
may reach over into the next season. 

'The listed furrows should not be too far apart — five 
to the rod is just about right. At this width the middle 
will be well cultivated. The lister should be run as deep 
as it can be without throwing too much dirt over into 
the next furrow — always deep enough to entirely cover 
the ridge with fresh dirt. I have yet to see a good crop 
from shallow listing. 

"Whenever the people of Western Kansas realize the 
importance of listed crops and live stock, wheat growing 
will become a matter of secondary importance and we 
will see — not a boom, but permanent good times. Then 
indeed the 'desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose,' 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 169 

and present land values will appear as they are, absurdly 
low." 

Hays Station Methods. At the Hays, Kansas, Branch 
Agricultural Experiment Station, Superintendent George 
K. Helder reports the following methods as best practice 
for preparing the seed bed for grain sorghums : ''With 
cultivated land, we have found for our section that late 
fall listing of stubble or other cropped land, in prepara- 
tion for forage planting the next spring, is a good 
practice. The blank listing accomplishes several results ; 
prevents soil drift, catches the light and heavy snows 
and holds them on the land where the moisture is wanted, 
and makes a better soil condition for spring working. 
As early as soil can be worked in the spring, break down 
the listed ridges with a disk cultivator. If heavy rains 
come before planting time — late in April — harrow the 
surface to save the moisture. For planting the grain 
sorghums, list seed in by splitting the fall listed ridges, 
broken down by cultivator in early spring. 

''One general practice in growing sorghums, is to disk 
the land in early spring, then list in the seed about last 
of April or early in May. We believe the fall listing for 
western lands is conducive to the saving of winter 
moisture." 

Soil Blowing Prevention. Thorough cultivation is 
necessary for profitable crop production in the sorghum 
belt. But many a farmer whose fields have blown away, 
has doubted the advisability of stirring the soil more 
than is needed to cover the seed planted. It seems con- 
sistent to here insert a somewhat lengthy statement re- 
garding soil blowing prevention methods, by E. C. John- 
son, leader of farm demonstration work in Kansas : 

"The Kansas Agricultural College for some years has 
advocated certain fundamental methods for the preven- 
tion of blowing. The more important of these are the 
preservation of humus by returning straw and manure to 
the land, using it as a surface dressing on wheat fields 
during the winter; increasing the humus through the 



170 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



use of green manure crops such as rye preceding the 
summer fallow; cultivating summer fallow with shovel 
cultivators such as the ordinary 6 to 12-shovel corn culti- 
vator, or the beet cultivator, or with the alfalfa renova- 
tor or other implements which leave the field in a rough 
instead of pulverized condition; cultivating only when 
the ground contains moisture, but is not wet, and giving 




Fully Matured Heads of Blacklmlled Kafir of 191,3 Crop Grown in 
Central Kansas. — The Seed Was Planted Early and Was of 
Early Maturing Strain — Two Reasons Why it Made a Crop. 

only sufficient cultivation to keep down weeds and pre- 
serve a coarse soil mulch; summer fallowing with the 
lister instead of plow and disk, or summer fallowing by 
plowing twice, once in the spring and once during the 
summer, leaving the field in the rough ; using inter-tilled 
crops such as kafir, milo, other sorghums and corn, in 
place of so much wheat, and preparing the land by listing 
east and west, or at right angles to the prevailing wind, 
instead of by plowing. These methods have been used 
efficiently in preventing blowing at the Agricultural Ex- 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 171 

periment Stations at Hays, Garden City, Dodge City, 
Tribune and Ogallah, for several years. 

'The district demonstration agents in Western Kan- 
sas, thoroughly acquainted with these recommendations 
and methods, are emphasizing the application of one or 
more of these according to local conditions and have 
planned certain demonstrations which will show their 
practicability. They have therefore been making recom- 
mendations as follows: 

(1) ''Wherever land sown to winter wheat is likely 
to blow and it is possible to obtain straw or manure, 
scatter a thin dressing over the field during the fall and 
early winter and go over it with a disk set straight so 
that the straw and manure is pressed into the ground. 

(2) "Where summer tillage is to be practiced, and 
it usually should be practiced where it is the farmer's 
purpose to plant winter wheat, plow the land after weeds 
have started in the spring, till it only when the ground is 
slightly moist or when the soil will turn over a little 
cloddy. Till only sufficiently to retain a coarse soil mulch 
and prevent weed growth, using a shovel cultivator, al- 
falfa renovator or other tool leaving the field in the 
rough ; or list the land east and west after the weeds 
have started, splitting the ridges later and working the 
land down slowly to a level condition in preparation for 
winter wheat. 

(3) "Where land is to be used for sorghums or corn, 
list it in the fall or in the spring as soon as the frost is 
out of the ground ; then plant kaf ir, milo, other sorghums 
or possibly corn the last half of May. Plant with the 
lister either by splitting the ridges or in the lister fur- 
row or, if ridges have been worked down gradually, plant 
with the loose ground lister, the disk furrow opener or 
the regular lister. 

"Each of the three district agricultural agents in 
Western Kansas has secured forty or more co-operators 
to undertake at least one of these demonstrations. In 
some cases a single demonstrator has undertaken all of 



172 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

them. In addition a number of the best farmers have 
been practicing similar methods of soil handling to some 
extent. The results obtained by these and by the demon- 
strators selected by the agents already have shown that 
unless conditions are extreme, excessive soil blowing may 
be prevented very largely by correct methods of farming, 
thus substantiating in actual farm tests the results ob- 
tained at the Western Kansas Agricultural Stations." 

Farmers' Preparation for Milo. The methods of seed 
bed preparation of those Western Kansas farmers re- 
porting their milo growing methods for Kansas Farmer, 
will prove valuable. To compare each method here 
named with the yield above mentioned, will prove inter- 
esting : 

Double disk and then plant with lister same as corn. — 
H. C. La Tourette, Decatur County. 

Disking early and then listing as the season gets warm- 
er. — C. A. Calkins, Hamilton County. 

Ground disked in spring, seed listed in with corn lister 
— one bushel of seed to 14 acres. — A. L. Hicks, Norton 
County. 

Early disking, blank listing, split the ridges and plant 
with lister. — C. R. Henry, Cheyenne County. 

Early disking, then listing. — George Shields, Sheridan 
County. 

Fall disking followed by lister at seeding time. — Agri- 
cultural Experiment Sub-station, Ford County. 

First disking and then listing. — Richard Grimes, Clark 
County. 

Double disking before listing in rows 3.6 feet apart. — 
Lee McKissick, Clark County. 

Blank listing. — J. W. Patterson, Stevens County. 

Disking early in spring, planting with lister. — C. W. 
Askew, Ness County. 

Disking in the spring as soon as we can get in the field, 
then listing early, blank listing, then when it is time to 
plant, listing and planting with lister. — Monroe Traver, 
Stevens County. 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 173 

Disking before listing about May 1. — J. A. Clark, Ness 
County. 

Disking and then listing or disking and plowing. — C. 
M. Jennison, Lane County. 

We have tried two methods of preparing the ground. 
The best way is to disk the ground early and then plow. 
We have sometimes thought it better to pack the ground 
after plowing, plant with ordinary corn planter with 
furrow openers. It is harder to get the crop started in 
a lister furrow and it is also quite likely to be buried with 
hard showers of rain. — M. L. Brooks, Scott County. 

Double disking and listing two-thirds as deep as listing 
corn — G. J. Stauth, Ford County. 

Plow the ground and pulverize thoroughly and then 
list deep. I plant much on freshly broken sod. — M. C. 
Campbell Ranch, Oark County. 

Fall Listing Pays. The experience of most Western 
Kansas farmers who have fall listed for spring crops, 
is that it pays in crop assurance. Several farmers told 
me, when I drove through Sherman, Thomas, Gove and 
Sheridan counties late in August, 1913, that the only 
farmers who had a crop of wheat, milo or cane that year, 
were those who had wheat planted on summer fallowed 
land and those who had milo and cane on fall listed land. 
I spent some time in the same section the fall of 1911, 
which was a year of light rainfall, and was told that 
almost the only feed grown in the several localities, was 
that spring planted on fall listing. One farmer in an 
extremely dry district, listed his ground in the early fall 
of 1910 and as there were no spring rains, he drilled the 
seed in the bottom of the old furrow, not re-listing or 
splitting the ridges as he had intended. He planted 
seventy acres in this way and the entire acreage pro- 
duced some grain. He was the only man in the township 
who did not have to either sell stock or buy feed. 

The advantage of such methods is to accumulate in 
the soil all the moisture possible in advance of planting 
and give the crop the advantage of more than the sea- 



174 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



sonal moisture and hold the land in a ridged condition 
to prevent blowing. 

Preparing Sod for Sorghums. There are still many 
farmers who desire to plant sorghums on sod. For 
Western Kansas planting, George K. Helder, superinten- 
dent of the Hays, Kansas, Agricultural Experiment Sta- 
tion, wrote Kansas Farmer: "I would suggest that the 




This Norton County, Kansas, Field is Listed to Corn in Level Fur- 
rows Running Around the Slope, the Object Being to Catch and 
Hold All the Water that Falls. — Contour Farming Prevents 
Water Running Off and Soil Washing. 



sod be broken in late April or early May after grass has 
well started. If a good, 'smooth' job of breaking is ac- 
complished, a disk may soon be used to both cultivate 
the sod and also firm the soil. A planter then could plant 
the grain in rows, and the field would require little cul- 
tivation that season. At least six inches of timely mois- 
ture would be required to mature a good crop of forage. 
I have seen the planter used directly on the new break- 
ing, without additional work with disk harrow. It some- 
times brings results, but not so assured a process as using 
a disk." 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 175 

Listing or Surface Planting. Listing is regarded as 
the best corn and grain sorghum planting method for 
the sorghum belt and has been adopted by farmers gen- 
erally. However, the lister user should be impressed 
with the fact that thorough field preparation in advance 
of listing is necessary to obtain best results. Lister 
planting in hard, weedy ground cannot give crop assur- 
ance and yields equal to planting in land made mellow 
and clean by previous cultivation. Planting results are 
measured by the preparation given the field in advance 
of planting rather than by the method employed in plac- 
ing the seed in the ground. 

On those lands to which either listing or surface 
planting is adapted, the results obtained are about equal. 
At the Manhattan, Kansas, Agricultural Experiment Sta- 
tion, listing and surface planting were compared in six 
trials, and at the Stillwater, Oklahoma, Agricultural Ex- 
periment Station two trials were made. In five of the 
eight trials listing gave the higher corn yield. Averag- 
ing the eight trials, listing produced two bushels of corn 
more per acre. Under the conditions of these trials the 
results were so near equal as to warrant no claim for the 
superiority of one method over the other. 

However, there are conditions of soil and climate 
under which listing is the best known planting method 
and may be regarded as essential for the most satisfac- 
tory results. The pages immediately preceding, which 
report the experiences of farmers in the handling of 
western lands, make it plain that west of the 98th meri- 
dian the lister is indispensable. In this area its use must 
be depended upon as the best means of overcoming dam- 
age to land and crops from soil blowing and also for the 
cheap and most expeditious preparation of a seed bed 
possessing a maximum of accumulated and conserved 
soil moisture. The upland soils of this area are 
light and mellow, well drained and aerated and readily 
become warm. These are conditions favorable to the 
use of the lister. The summer temperatures of this sec- 



176 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

tion are generally high, the winds constant and evap- 
oration of moisture rapid, and this combination of un- 
favorable crop conditions is best offset by the lister fur- 
row, the bottom and sides of which — and even the ridges 
— are covered with a coarse, moisture-conserving mulch. 
Planting in the bottom of the furrow permits deep root- 
ing, protects the young plant from injury by the winds. 




7M 



.^.-'^i 



Contour Farming on the Farm of J. M. Cilman. Leavenworth 
County, Kansas, and Showing Results of First Year's Work. 

and catches and holds the rainfall. Yet, it must not be 
understood that the lister can take the place of the 
plow on the farms of this section. Plowing, to the extent 
set forth in the cultivation methods previously described, 
is essential and must be done in a successful rotation of 
crops. Plowing for wheat or other small grains, fol- 
lowed with fall and spring listing for grain sorghums, 
places the lister where it belongs in the farm practice 
of the belt of thirty inches or less of annual precipitation. 
The lister may be generally used in that territory 
lying between the 98th and 96th meridians, the greater 
part of which is an area of thirty-five inches of precip- 
itation. However, on the heavier bottom lands the seed 
bed for both corn and grain sorghums can best be pre- 
pared by plowing, with the added advantage that on such 
lands surface planting can usually be done a week or 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 177 

ten days earlier than the lister furrow will permit. The 
level uplands of this area should be listed for the same 
reasons as given for the area farther west, except that the 
lister furrow is rarely needed as a means of controverting 
damage from blowing. Hilly lands should not be listed 
because of the damage done by soil washing. 

East of the 96th meridian, which is an area of forty 
inches or more of annual precipitation and the soil of 
which is generally heavy, surface planting following 
plowing, on all lands except the level uplands, will give 
the best results. Plowing will give the more thorough 
preparation, will result in better drainage and aeration 
of the seed bed, the soil can be worked earlier in the 
spring, and surface planting will promote germination 
and rapid growth. 

In the preparation of the field and in planting grain 
sorghums, those methods which will give the crop an 
early start are to be kept in mind, and should be adopted 
in all sections except those in which there are crop influ- 
encing factors w^hich require special soil handling 
methods. This, not because the plants require all the 
days of a normal growing season, but because the sor- 
ghums give the highest degree of crop assurance when 
permitted to use a maximum amount of the early mois- 
ture. They resist dry weather as do no other similar 
crops, but it is worth while to give them opportunity to 
mature early and so evade dry weather. The improvers 
of grain sorghums have directed a large part of their 
attention to the development of earliness in maturity that 
the accumulated moisture and early rains may "make" 
the crop. To reap the full benefits of this work early 
planting is to be encouraged. 

In every section there are some objections to listing. 
Dashing rains wash the seed out of the furrow, or bury 
the seed or growing plant by washing soil into the furrow. 
In some seasons the seed is rotted as a result of water 
standing in the furrow. In some sections of extremely 
rolling lands continued listing has washed the surface soil 



178 sorghums: sure money crops 

from thousands of acres. These are conditions which can- 
not be wholly overcome. However, contour listing is help- 
ful. Under this method the lister furrows extend across 
the slope and not in the direction of the slope, thus con- 
trolling soil washing to a considerable extent. Contour 
listing also catches the rain and snow in the furrow and 
holds the water until it settles into the subsoil. This 
latter feature commends it to the area of light rainfall. 

The use of the furrow opener will become more gen- 
eral in heavy, low lands. In several respects it has more 
commendable features than has the lister. It will permit 
01 deeper planting than ordinary surface planting and in 
this particular possesses practically all of the advantages 
of listing. If the furrow opener is to be used, the ground 
must be plowed, and there is no better preparation for 
corn or sorghums than plowing. By the use of the furrow 
opener the tendency of rolling lands to wash is reduced, 
and on low lands it will make earlier planting possible. 

When to Plant. The date on which the sorghums may 
be safely planted for grain is governed by the season and 
the condition of the soil upon which they are to be planted. 
This date may vary a week or ten days on adjoining 
farms or even adjoining fields. The seed of sorghums, 
like that of corn, will not grow in cold and wet ground, 
and when planted in such ground there is danger of the 
seed rotting and a poor stand resulting. It may be safely 
said that kafir and milo can be planted in each section 
at such time as corn planting is well under way. Every 
corn grower well knows that in his neighborhood farmers 
differ as to whether corn planting should be done ex- 
tremely early or delayed until the soil becomes thor- 
oughly warm, and which usually means a difference of 
not more than a week. 

Cultivation of the land early in the spring and con- 
tinuing until planting time, results in the soil warming 
earlier than if not cultivated, and on cultivated soils sor- 
ghums can be safely planted earlier than on uncultivated 
soils. Some soils will permit of earlier planting than 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 179 

others, even though prepared similarly. Whether or not 
the land is free from the seed of weeds at the time of 
planting is also a factor. Foul land should not be planted 
until the weeds have started and have been destroyed by 
cultivation. 

In my experience as a kaf ir grower, I have seen nothing 
which warrants the belief that vigorous, acclimated seed 
of kafir is more likely to rot in the ground than is corn. 
I am sure, however, that the vitality of kafir seed varies 
greatly, and it should be the effort of every farmer to 
plant well-matured seed which has had proper care from 
harvesting to planting time. If he has such seed he need 
not hesitate to depend upon it for a stand when planted 
at such time and under such conditions as his judgment 
would dictate as best in the case of corn. 

If the farmer is unable to determine for himself the 
proper time for planting sorghums and so cannot break 
away from the custom of his neighborhood, then he is 
safe in following the general idea, namely, planting sor- 
ghums a week following the accepted date for corn plant- 
ing in his locality. Reference to the map on page 122 
will aid the sorghum grower in determining the safe 
dates for planting in Kansas to escape killing frosts. 
This map shows the average date of the last killing frost 
in the spring for the several sections of that state. If 
for any reason the stand of kafir or milo should not be 
satisfactory, the field may be replanted by drilling in 
the row^ originally planted. They may be drilled follow- 
ing a poor stand of corn and have ample time for ma- 
turity. It is my observation, though, that most so-called 
poor stands of kafir and milo should not be replanted if 
the crop is desired for grain. Usually, following the 
prevailing rate of seeding, there is a sufficient number 
of plants on the ground. Not infrequently have I seen 
a stand regarded as unsatisfactory produce the heaviest 
grain yield of the neighborhood. 

Rate of Planting for Grain. To lay down a rule of 
value as to the amount of kafir, milo, feterita or cane 



180 



sorghums: sure money crops 



seed to plant per acre, is as impossible as to fix the plant- 
ing date or determine the best methods of planting. I 
know that for satisfactory grain yields the prevailing 
rate of planting is much too thick. Thick planting results 
in small heads and decreased yields. Thin planting pro- 
duces larger heads, average yields of grain and greatly 
increased crop assurance. Were the seasonal conditions 




Three Heads on Left Typical of Field of B. V. Jackson, Greer County, 
Oklahoma, 1912. — Yield, 62 Bushels per Acre; Corn on Same Ground 
Yielded 25 Bushels; Milo, 50 Bushels. — Seed Has Been Selected 
Seven Years for Heavy Yielding Type. — Land Plowed 10 Inches 
Deep in November. — Field Averaged Three Stalks per Foot and 
Was Cultivated Four Times. — Heads on Right Grown by Lee 
Neeley, Johnson County, Oklahoma, 1912. — Yield 122 Bushels per 
Acre. — Land and Crop Measured by Agent Federal Department of 
Agriculture. — These are Typical High Yielding Heads. 

such as to insure sufficient moisture for the maturing of 
a medium-sized head on each stalk in a thick stand, then 
thick planting would be most desirable. There will be 
seasons when the yield would have been heavier as a 
result of thicker planting and the farmer may be dis- 
appointed the first year he plants thin, but the consistent 
thin planter will in a ten-year period have produced much 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 181 

more grain per acre than his neighbor who plants thicker. 

The thick planting of grain sorghums is due to two 
principal causes: (1) the desire to grow both a grain and 
forage crop from the same planting, and (2) because to 
date there is no machinery which will plant the seed of 
the sorghums at the proper rate. The most consistent 
grain yields will come from a stand planted for seed. A 
far better quality of forage will be obtained from plant- 
ing specially for forage. Two plantings, each for its 
purpose, give greater crop assurance, can be harvested 
and fed more cheaply and with greater profit than a crop 
grown for the two purposes. 

For either grain or forage the rate of planting will 
vary with the different sections and will be governed by 
the probable rainfall during the growing season, the 
moisture present in the soil at planting time, and also 
upon the degree to which the farmer will be able to con- 
serve moisture by thorough cultivation. To attempt to 
grow more plants than the soil moisture will mature, is 
foolhardy. To plant as thick in the area of twenty inches 
of annual precipitation as in the area of forty inches, is 
a reckless waste of labor and a sacrifice of opportunity 
on the part of the western grower. 

Every farmer who grows corn and sorghums has noted 
the large ears and heads which grow on the turning row. 
There the stand is usually the thinnest and the stalks 
obtain moisture from a larger soil area. Likewise, most 
farmers have obtained fair yields of corn and grain sor- 
ghums in a dry year from accidentally thin planted fields. - 
Every year, in every community, the reader has observed 
instances of crop failure through too thick planting. In 
1913 in every county in Kansas thin planted fields of 
kafir and milo yielded fair grain crops, while thicker 
planted fields failed totally. Almost every field of fet- 
erita in Kansas matured grain in that year. In every 
instance of the many I have investigated, the stand of 
feterita was much thinner than adjoining stands of kafir 
or milo. Thin stands no doubt contributed largely to the 



182 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

success of that crop in that year. This same condition 
was true of corn, that planted thin making a crop, 
while that planted thick failed to mature grain. The 
growing season of 1913 was a rare exception in its 
severity, but the best corn growers have come to realize 
that much thinner planting than formerly is resulting 
in the highest yield of shelled corn year after year. It 
is for the farmer to learn the most profitable rate of 
planting for the crops he grows. He can be helped in 
this only by suggestion, for the same reason that there 
can be no ready-made, never-failing rule for successful 
farming. 

These figures are offered in evidence of the statement 
that thinner planting may be practiced without seriously 
affecting the average acre yields : 

In an acre of check-rowed corn there are about 3,500 
hills. If in each hill there were one stalk and that pro- 
duced a pound ear — which is not a large ear of corn — • 
the yield would be 50 bushels, or nearly three times the 
Kansas average. Most corn growers plant three kernels 
in a hill, or, if drilled, about five kernels to each three and 
a half feet of row. It is safe to say that there are few 
farmers in Kansas in the area of less than thirty-five 
inches of annual precipitation — aside from those who 
farm the best bottom lands — whose average is even near 
fifty bushels per acre for a ten-year period. Even six- 
ounce ears are not produced on one-half the corn stalks 
grown on the best corn lands. What's the reason? One 
is — too thick planting and insufficient moisture for all 
the stalks. The chances for getting a fair-sized ear on 
each stalk of thin planted corn are manifestly better than 
the chances for a nubbin on each stalk when five stalks 
divide the moisture needed by a single stalk. 

If one seed of kafir were planted to each ten inches 
of row, and each seed grew, there would be slightly in 
excess of 14,000 kafir stalks per acre, the rows being 
three and one-half feet apart. If each plant should pro- 
duce a four-ounce head, the yield would be fifty bushels 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 183 

per acre, figuring seventy pounds of kafir heads as a 
bushel. This yield would also be far in excess of the 
state's average. Every stalk of kafir will produce a head 
if given a chance. It is well for the farmer to begin to 
realize that two heads of kafir, milo or feterita are the 
near equal in feeding value of an ear of corn, and that to 
produce two of these where an ear of corn should grow is 
a good rule to follow. Under average field conditions 
kafir heads weigh four to six ounces and milo heads three 
to four ounces, as reported by Carleton Ball, agronomist 
for the Federal Department of Agriculture. I have kafir 
heads of the 1913 Kansas crop weighing three and a half 
to six ounces, milo heads weighing six to seven ounces, 
and feterita heads weighing three to three and a half 
ounces. 

To be sure, these are theoretical stands for both corn 
and kafir. No man can plant one grain of corn or kafir 
in a hill, and if that were possible he would not have a 
stalk in each hill. When the farmer of the sorghum belt 
realizes that moisture to mature his crops is the controll- 
ing factor, he will understand the futility of using it in 
growing more stalks than can produce grain. Fewer 
plants, both in the case of corn, kafir and other grain 
sorghums, will greatly increase crop assurance, and this 
should be sufficient reason to warrant thinner planting. 

Kafir growers generally do not appreciate how thick 
they do plant. On this point these figures will prove in- 
structive : In a pound of cleaned and graded seed, from 
which the cracked and small seeds have been removed, 
there are 22,000 to 24,000 seeds. Planting seeds four 
inches apart in the row would require 37,200 seeds per 
acre; eight inches apart, 18,600 seeds; ten inches apart, 
14,500; twelve inches apart, 12,400; and sixteen inches 
apart, 9,300; and such rate of planting would result in 
about the same number of stalks per acre. It will be 
noted that the four-inch planting will require only slightly 
more than one and one-half pounds of seed per acre, and 
ten-inch planting would require little more than a half 



184 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



pound. A quart of kafir seed weighs one and three- 
fourths pounds and so has 38,500 to 42,000 seeds. The 
prevailing rate of planting for grain in Kansas varies 
from two quarts or three and a half pounds to one gallon 
or seven pounds of seed per acre. From the above the 
farmer may be able to determine the number of stalks per 
acre he is likely to have from the seed he plants. 




Heads of Mongrel Kafir Showing the Result of Mixing with Cane 
and Broomcorn. — ^Siicli Heads are Typical of Low Yielding and 
Late Maturing Fields. 



Rate of Planting Trials. Trials to determine the most 
desirable rates of planting grain sorghums have been 
made in considerable numbers at the forage crops stations 
of the Federal Department of Agriculture in Texas. 

Four years' tests at Amarillo indicate that the planting 
of milo seven or eight inches apart in the row, and kafir 
nine to ten inches, in rows three and one-half feet apart, 
gave better yields than other rates of planting. The 
average annual precipitation at Amarillo is 22 inches. 

At Chillicothe, Texas, the heaviest yield of kafir in 
1912 was obtained when the seeds were planted six to 
eight inches apart in the row, while the heaviest yields 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 185 

of milo were obtained when planted eight to ten inches 
apart. The 1912 precipitation at this station was twenty 
inches, which was two inches less than the average for 
a seven-year period. 

White milo six to ten inches apart in the row, gave 
42 bushels of seed per acre at the Lubbock, Texas, Agri- 
cultural Station. The total precipitation for the season 
at this station was 14.16 inches. These trials give the 
reader an idea of yields obtained from thin stands and 
in which the comparatively few plants had opportunity 
for fullest development. 

H. M. Bainer, agricultural demonstrator for the Santa 
Fe in Texas, New Mexico and Colorado, says: ''Kafir 
under Texas Panhandle and Plains conditions, should be 
thinned to 24 to 30 inches in the row, and milo, feterita 
and broomcorn to 18 to 24 inches in the row." 

Feterita Planting and Stands. Here are the stands 
reported by farmers who grew feterita in Kansas in 1913 
and the yields of which varied from 25 to 55 bushels per 
acre: 

Stalks from 8 to 12 inches. — Martin H. Anderson, 
Crawford County. 

Very uneven — from 2 to 3 feet in drill. — J. J. Rein- 
hardt, Johnson County. 

About 6 inches. — J. C. Hastings, Jefferson County. 

About 4 inches apart. — J. H. Heller, Shawnee County. 

Planted 12 to 14 inches in row. — H. B. King, Labette 
County. 

About one grain to the hill and 20 inches apart. — R. 
M. Taylor, Osborne County. 

About a foot apart. — Dan Mcintosh, Rawlins County. 

Planted one grain to the hill and 16 inches apart, but 
it did not stand that thick on the ground. — William Mar- 
quard, Barber County. 

Ten inches apart. — George L. Bishop, Washita County, 
Oklahoma. 

Milo Stand in 1913. P. S. Houston, the Thomas 
County banker, who in 1913 grew 5,000 bushels of milo 



186 sorghums: sure money crops 

in a 200-acre field, planted the hills 18 to 20 inches apart 
and two to three seeds in a hill. 'Two seeds in a hill is 
sufficient if the seeds are good ; the yield and quality will 
be better if the stand is thin than if too thick," says Mr. 
Houston. ''I cannot obtain a satisfactory rate of planting 
with plates furnished with the lister. They plant too 
thick for this western country. I buy blank plates and 
have them drilled to conform to my own ideas as to 
stand." 

Plants Kafir Thin. A Jewell County, Kansas, grower 
who for years has made a specialty of kafir growing, 
wrote Kansas Farmer : 'Two pounds of kafir seed will 
plant an acre, making one grain every five and one-half 
inches, which makes the stand plenty thick. I take extra 
precaution to see that the seed is perfectly clean and free 
from chaff and weeds and that the seed has a high ger- 
mination test. The kafir I planted this year germinated 
90 per cent." 

Planting Machinery Not Adapted. I have talked 
with many farmers regarding the thinner planting of 
grain sorghums and almost invariably they agree that 
the prevailing rate is much too thick. It is easy to advise 
that three-fourths pound of good seed per acre should 
be planted in the area of thirty inches of precipitation, 
and that at such rate stalks will grow eight inches apart 
in the row, and that a half pound planted in the area of 
twenty-four to thirty inches precipitation will give a 
stalk each twelve inches, but how to accomplish this thin 
planting is the important question. Much of the influ- 
ence of the recommendation is lost when the farmer 
understands that for the present he can obtain such 
stands only as a result of hand-planting or thinning. The 
stands obtained at the Texas forage crops stations as 
above described were hand- thinned. The sorghum grower 
feels that he cannot do this hand work, or at any rate will 
not, but it is my opinion that he can well afford to thin a 
thick stand. This can be done expeditiously with a hoe 
and I doubt if the sorghum-growing farmer could better 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 187 

spend an equal amount of time. So to do would greatly 
increase his assurance of a crop, and that is the impor- 
tant sorghum belt consideration. 

The writer has for some months been interested with 
other individuals in an effort to get manufacturers to 
devise a grain sorghum planter. The International Har- 
vester Company and John Deere Plow Company have 
been working on plates for drills to accomplish thin and 
uniform drilling. Success has not yet crowned their 
efforts. It would seem that a different dropping prin- 
ciple than that now in use must be employed. 

A test was made of one of the standard listers, using 
the sorghum-dropping plate sold with the machine. Set 
at the slowest speed, this plate dropped an average of 
fifteen kafir seeds per foot of row, and at this rate eight 
and one-half pounds seed per acre. The number of seeds 
dropped per hole in the plate varied from four to eight, 
while a sufficiently thick stand would have been secured 
by dropping one seed for every other hole, provided 
every seed grew. The plate was one-fourth inch thick 
and the holes were one-fourth inch in diameter. 

The thickness of the ordinary dropping plate is suffi- 
cient to hold two layers of seeds, one above the other, and 
an attempt has been made to correct this defect by mak- 
ing plates so thin as to allow only one layer of seed in 
the hole. The thin plates have been found to wear out 
quickly and also to form a shearing arrangement that 
grinds many of the larger and best seeds. Holes have 
been made smaller in diameter to prevent them holding 
so many seeds. Seeds will frequently become wedged 
together in the small holes and not drop out for a con- 
siderable time, causing many vacant spaces in the row. 
Several farmers have reported fair success by plugging 
up every other hole in the dropping plate with lead or 
babbit. A few farmers have reported that in addition 
to plugging half the holes, they have put a wire loop in 
the spout below the plate, adjusting it until it scatters 



188 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



the seeds along the row when more than one are dropped 
at a time. 

The thin planting of milo and feterita will not be so 
difficult because the seeds are larger and so fewer seeds 




Heads of Kafir Grown in 1913 at Eads, Colorado. — Field Yielded 25 
Busliels per Acre. — Matured in 100 Days with Only Three Light 
Showers, — Planted on Fall Listed Land. 



pass the openings. I talked with a farmer who planted 
kafir in 1913 with a garden drill. He enlarged the seed 
container and hitched a horse to the drill. His stand 
averaged a stalk to each ten or twelve inches and he har- 
vested a forty-bushel crop. Another farmer who secured 
a small quantity of feterita seed for 1913 planting was 
desirous of planting thin and making the seed go as far 
as he could. He plugged every other hole in the kafir 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 189 

plate of his lister and the stand averaged one stalk to 
each twenty inches, although this same plate dropped 
three to five seeds of kafir in the same furrow space. 
Undoubtedly machinery thoroughly adapted to sorghum 
planting will in the near future be invented. In the 
meantime the farmer should do his best to get as near 
as possible the desired results from present machinery. 

I would try out the several rates of planting by hand- 
dropping. By such means I would make several tests. If 
I found that thinner planting than the drill would do, was 
necessary, I would drop by hand until machinery could 
be devised to do the work. I have dropped acres of corn 
by hand and could as well drop kafir, milo or feterita. 
Possibly it would be less laborious to plant as thin as the 
planter would drop and then thin the stand with a hoe. 
I have done this job, too. It is certain that when the 
whole season's work depends upon a crop — which if too 
thick is likely to result in total failure — the grower can 
afford to resort to extraordinary means to secure crop 
assurance. 

Cottreirs Planting Advice. The discussion of this 
subject could not close with better suggestions than those 
of H. M. Cottrell, who has for two years closely studied 
the rate of planting grain sorghums. He says: 

''Getting an even stand with the plants at the proper 
distance to secure sufficient moisture for the maturing 
of a good yield, is the difficult problem in raising the grain 
sorghums. It is difficult to secure, on account of the 
faulty construction of the planting devices, the quality 
of the seed and the condition of the land. In Central 
Kansas and Oklahoma, one good stalk every eight inches 
will usually produce the best yields. In districts of more 
rainfall, the highest yields are sometimes secured with 
stalks six inches apart in the row. In Western Kansas 
and Oklahoma the stalks must be twelve to sixteen inches 
apart, depending on the rainfall and character of soil. 
On tight land the stalks must be farther apart than on 
sandy soils, and more space between stalks is required 



190 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

on upland than on bottom lands in the same neighbor- 
hood. Another factor is the varying carelessness in 
covering up the young plants during the first cultivation. 

''The best advice that I can offer is to use about three 
pounds of well cleaned and graded seed per acre in dis- 
tricts of thirty inches average rainfall a year, and about 
two pounds per acre where the precipitation is less. I 
would not use seed that showed poor germination, even 
if I had to hand pick all the seed planted and pick out 
the stained grains and those that appeared damaged." 

Seed Quality Important. It should be remembered 
that the amount of seed planted per acre must be gov- 
erned by the quality of the seed planted. If only half 
the seeds will germinate, then it will require twice as 
much seed per acre to obtain the desired stand as if 95 
per cent of the seeds planted should germinate. If ma- 
ture heads are gathered in the field in the fall and these 
heads are kept dry, 90 to 95 per cent or more of the seeds 
will germinate. This is the only way to select and hold 
seed from year to year. In order to control the stand 
by accurate planting, clean seed of good quality only 
should be planted. 

Thick planting in a dry year will result in a total 
failure of grain. A thin stand will produce an excellent 
yield of grain in a wet season, a good yield in a normal 
season, and a fair yield in a dry season. It is manifestly 
more profitable to obtain a fair yield season after season, 
including the dry years, than a high yield in a wet season 
and no grain at all in a very dry season. . 

Planting Dates and Yields at Chillieothe. At the 
Chillicothe, Texas, forage crops station the Federal De- 
partment of Agriculture has made numerous trials dur- 
ing four seasons to determine the relation of planting 
date to yield of kafir and milo. The average annual 
precipitation at this station is twenty-three inches. The 
soil is a reddish sandy loam and bakes hard following 
rains. 

Kafir planted April 15 averaged 34 bushels per acre; 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 191 

planted May 1, 28 bushels; May 15, 23 bushels. Each 
planting fifteen days later and continuing to July 1, 
showed a gradually decreasing yield. Milo gave the 
highest yield when planted May 1, being 32 bushels com- 
pared with 23 bushels when planted June 1. 

The year 1909 was severely dry at this station and in 
that year milo planted April 15 yielded 15 bushels as 
against seven bushels for that planted May 15. In this 
season kafir planted May 15 matured only scattering 
heads and later plantings produced no grain. 

These tests indicate that milo — and in all probability, 
feterita — gives best yields when planted fifteen days 
later than kafir. 

Planting for Forage. For forage, the amount of seed 
planted should be governed by the amount of moisture 
in the ground at planting time and the rainfall during 
the growing season. A forage crop is not expected to 
produce much grain and the stalks should stand thick 
enough on the ground to produce fine — not coarse — 
forage. For forage, a large proportion of leaf to stalk 
is desirable, and this is obtained by thicker planting than 
when a crop of grain is desired. Thick planting has 
resulted in more disappointment in yields of forage than 
any other cause. Thousands upon thousands of acres of 
cane and kafir fail every year because the crop literally 
burns up — because there were two or three times more 
stalks on the ground than the moisture could support. 
The drilling of a bushel or more of cane or kafir in 
Western Kansas is disastrous for every year except the 
unusually wet. The seeding of one and a half to two 
bushels on the uplands of Eastern Kansas will result in 
greatly diminishing the crop certainty every year. Since 
at seeding time no man is able to know what the season's 
rainfall will be, it is a good policy to safeguard against 
the dry year and at the same time adopt such planting 
methods as will give the desired forage quality. To 
accomplish this, the grower should arrive at a happy 



192 



sorghums: sure money crops 



medium in the planting rate and use such planting method 
as is likely to give the surest crop. 

The planting of kafir and cane in rows, for forage, is 
to be recommended, and applies to the areas of heavy as 
well as light rainfall. Row planting is necessary for the 




Kafir Heads Grown 1912 by Stephen Goble. Greer County. Okla- 
homa. — Yield, 71 Bushels' per Acre. — Heavy True to Type Heads 
Had Been Selected by Him for Seed for Years. 

sections of light rainfall that the crop may be planted 
sufficiently thin and cultivated. For the areas of heavier 
rainfall — 30 to 35 inches — it is recommended because the 
seed may be planted plenty thick in the row to make fine 
forage and yet prevent the use of so much seed that a 
deficiency of moisture will result in crop loss, and also 
that in a season of short rainfall the crop can be culti- 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 193 

vated, the moisture conserved and the crop forced to 
satisfactory growth. In the areas of heavier rainfall the 
row-planted crop may not in a wet season produce so 
large a tonnage as if drilled, but this decreased yield is 
more than offset by the assurance of a satisfactory yield 
in a drier season. After a few trials the grower of sor- 
ghum forage will see the advantages of row planting 
when viewed from the standpoint of growing fine — not 
coarse — forage, and the greater assurance of a crop in 
a dry year. It sometimes happens that the first planting 
is destroyed by dry weather or chinch bugs, or both, and 
it is necessary to plant again in July or later. Under 
such conditions row planting applies to the need of every 
section, whether of light or heavy rainfall. 

For sections of light rainfall the rows should not be 
closer than three and one-half feet and enough seed 
planted in the row to prevent coarse, heavy stalks. I 
know Western Kansas and Eastern Colorado growers 
who leave each third row blank, thus giving each of the 
growing rows the moisture from an extra three and one- 
half feet of ground, and the plan works well, especially 
if the grower has had difficulty in reducing the amount 
of seed drilled in the row to the amount he considers 
desirable. For the areas of heavier rainfall — 30 to 35 
inches — the rows may be drilled closer than in corn 
planting and more seed placed on the ground, but still 
giving all the advantages of the row planting method. 

Row planting will permit harvesting with a wheat or 
corn binder, either for the silo or shocking in the field, 
and this is the cheapest, most expeditious and satisfactory 
manner of handling. When the forage is placed in bun- 
dles it can be shocked and delivered to the feed lot with 
ease compared with other successful ways of handling. 

Early Planting to Utilize Early Rainfall. My insist- 
ence upon early planting is based upon the utilization 
of the accumulated moisture of the winter and the rain- 
fall of the early growing season. Early planting will 
permit the use of a maximum of such moisture at a time 



194 



sorghums: sure money crops 



when other conditions are also favorable to the growing 
crop. Every farmer sows oats early that the crop may 
have the benefit of the early moisture and that it may 
mature in advance of the unfavorable latter part of the 
season. Corn is planted as early as is possible for the 




Type of Head Typical of 1912 Field of Orrin McNath, Greer County, 
Oklahoma. — Yield, 124.8 Bushels per Acre. — Measured by Agent 
Federal Department of Agriculture. 

same reason. While the sorghums are more dry weather- 
resistant — less affected by dry weather and high tem- 
peratures — than corn or oats, nevertheless there are the 
same reasons for early planting. 

On page 60 it is shown that earliness in maturity and 
dwarfness are important essentials to the most certain 
and highest yields of kafir and milo because the early 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 195 

maturing plants are able to make a maximum use of the 
early moisture and the crop is near ''made" in advance 
of the period of decreasing rainfall and increased mois- 
ture evaporation. With early maturity as the basis of a 
large part of the work done in increasing the usefulness 
of grain sorghums in those areas in which they are so 
much needed, it seems unwise, and in fact foolish, to 
ignore the foundation of grain sorghum improvement by 
late planting and by the use of late maturing and indif- 
ferent seed. There is no good reason why the grain 
sorghum grower should fail to take advantage of and 
intensify and perpetuate the good work others have done 
for him. 

A greater appreciation of early planting may 'oe had 
by a consideration of seasonal conditions. The table 
below is compiled from the records of the U. S. Weather 
Bureau, Topeka, for Kansas, for the period 1886-1912. 
It shows the average total annual precipitation for each 
of the three divisions of the state, as made on the map 
on page 122, and also shows the inches and percentages 
for the several periods : 

Eastern Central Western 
Division Division Division State 

Average total inches 

for year 35.38 26.53 19.34 27.87 

Inches, April-Septem- 
ber, inclusive 25.07 19.84 15.13 20.50 

Per cent total, April- 
September, inc 70.9 74.7 78.2 73.5 

Inches, April-July, in- 
clusive 17.44 13.94 10.99 14.47 

Per cent total, April- 
July, inclusive 49.3 52.5 56.8 51.9 

Inches, August-Sep- 
tember, inclusive . . 7.63 5.90 4.14 6.03 

Per cent total, August- 
September, inc. . ..21.6 22.2 21.4 21.6 

It will be seen from the table that 70 to 80 per cent of 



196 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

the total precipitation occurs during April to September, 
inclusive, and of the total, 49 to 57 per cent comes during- 
the months of April to July, inclusive. Of the July rainfall 
more than half falls during the first half of the month. 
It is worthy of note that of the growing season rainfall 
more than half falls during April, May, June and 
the first half of July. During these months other grow- 
ing conditions are more favorable — the temperatures are 
not so high and the evaporation of the soil moisture is 
not so great as during the last half of July and the 
months of August and September. Therefore, early 
planting of seed of high quality in a thoroughly prepared 
seed bed and thorough cultivation during the early sea- 
son are conducive to the near ''making" of the crop in 
advance of the more severe and trying conditions of the 
latter growing period. The aim of every sorghum 
grower should be to get the crop "made" before the drier 
period, or so far along that it will be sure of maturity in 
spite of unfavorable growing weather, in preference to 
allowing it to be at a standstill during July and August 
and waiting for the cooler weather and rains of Sep- 
tember. 

While the figures given are for Kansas only, this dis- 
tribution of precipitation prevails in those sections of 
Oklahoma and Texas lying south of Kansas. In Western 
Texas and Eastern New Mexico the period of heaviest 
rainfall is about a month later, but the altitude of these 
sections will necessarily delay planting longer than far- 
ther east. The early-maturing strains of all sorghums 
will have ample time, if planted early and properly cul- 
tivated, to near "make" grain by July 15 or 20. While 
the sorghum belt farmer is growing dry weather-resisting 
crops he should capitalize those sorghum characteristics 
which accomplish, to a great extent, dry weather evasion. 

It will be a matter of interest to the reader to note the 
average precipitation in inches, by months, for the period 
1886-1912, for Kansas, as shown by the table below and 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 197 

which figures were also obtained from the U. S. Weather 
Bureau, Topeka: 

Eastern Central Western 

Division Division Division State 

January 1.13 .63 .37 .75 

February 1.63 1.08 .74 1.19 

March 2.23 1.21 .77 1.48 

April 3.04 2.23 2.15 2.50 

May 5.17 4.00 2.59 4.06 

June 4.95 4.22 3.08 4.19 

July 4.28 3.49 3.17 3.72 

August 3.95 3.27 2.47 3.28 

September 3.68 2.63 1.67 2.75 

October 2.46 2.00 1.18 1.93 

November 1.60 1.01 .67 1.15 

December 1.26 .76 .48 .87 



Average total inches. .35.38 26.53 19.34 27.87 
Inches Apr.-Sept. inc. 25.07 19.84 15.13 20.50 
Inches Oct.-Mch. inc. 10.31 6.69 4.21 7.37 

The extent to which precipitation decreases beginning 
with July and continuing to March, is worthy of note. 
The maximum is reached in the eastern division of Kan- 
sas in May and in the central and western divisions in 
June. This table will show the reader the inches of pre- 
cipitation exclusive of the growing season and give him 
a hint as to the amount of moisture he can conserve by 
proper handling of soil during the months September to 
April and during which time none except winter crops 
are growing. 

The tables above come near revealing all the reasons 
for the adaptability of the grain sorghums to the sor- 
ghum belt and why the various methods of grain sorghum 
growing herein discussed seem of reasonable foundation. 

Bishop on Early Planting for Oklahoma. That I have 
the support of at least one grain sorghum grower and 
all-around good farmer in the cause of early planting of 
kafir, milo and feterita, is to me gratifying. George 



198 sorghums: sure money crops 

Bishop, of Washita County, Oklahoma, argues for early- 
planting from the standpoint of utilization of the early 
seasonal moisture. I did not know his thought on the 
subject until the receipt of the Oklahoma Farm Journal 
of April 1, 1914, which came after the preceding material 
had been put in type. I am pleased that the mechanical 
status of this book was such that a considerable part of 
Bishop's article could be here printed. He writes: 

'The value of early planting for the grain sorghums 
can be determined only by a comparison of yields for a 
period of years. Other things being equal, available 
moisture is absolutely the controlling factor in crop pro- 
duction west of the thirty-inch rainfall line, which is 
practically indicated by meridian 98. 

"The available moisture of which I speak means, for 
the average farmer, just what rainfall comes from the 
time the crop is planted until it is matured or makes a 
failure. I say this because when you go down a section 
line and look to the right and to the left for a ten-mile 
drive, you find but a small percentage of farmers who 
make any systematic effort to retain moisture in the soil 
between crops or even at the time of preparing ground 
for planting. This being the condition under which most 
crops are planted, there is all the more reason for mak- 
ing an effort to get that crop into the ground at a time 
when there is a greater number of chances for the 
natural distribution of the rainfall to give its greatest 
portion during the growing period of the crop. In spite 
of all the seeming irregularity of western rainfall, the 
records for a period of thirty or forty years show a reg- 
ularity of distribution, which, if relied upon and followed 
as a fixed practice, I believe will bring a higher average 
yield and fewer failures. 

''Beginning at El Reno, Canadian County, Central 
Oklahoma, right on meridian 98, we find an average rain- 
fall for thirty years of a fraction over thirty inches. 
Of this amount, 14.88 inches fall in the months of 
April, May, June, and July. That is, this is the average 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 199 

combined rainfall for these months for thirty years. At 
Fort Sill, Comanche County, Central Oklahoma, a little 
west of meridian 98, the average for forty years shows 
the months of April, May, June, and July to bring 14.84 
inches of the thirty-inch annual average for that locality. 
Go on west to Mangum, Greer County, Western Okla- 
homa, with an average annual rainfall of a little over 
26 inches, and the records for twenty years show that 
15 of the 26 inches fall in the months of April, May, June 
and July. 

''When the average for this length of time shows this 
proportion for these four months, and when the records 
show that of the rainfall of July, rains come more often 
in the first part of the month than in the latter part, it 
is evident that in the majority of years at least one of 
the greatest insurances the farmer can give any culti- 
vated crop is to get it started in time to get as much of 
the benefit of the rainfall of these four months as is 
possible to give it. This means early planting; just as 
early as your experience on your farm with its kind of 
soil will assure a good stand. 

'*I believe April 15 ought to see most of the kafir 
planted over Southwestern Oklahoma. I know we some- 
times have some very cold rains in April. It is bad for 
corn in the ground and worse for kafir or milo, but it is 
worth risking. It is my plan to plant kafir on tight 
upland in West-Central Oklahoma as soon after April 15 
as I can get to it, if weather conditions are not such that 
it would be foolish to put the seed in the ground. 

''It should not be necessary to say that the division of 
rainfall indicated here is not expected to occur every 
year, for we know that it will not. The year of 1911 is 
a very striking example to the contrary. But that it will 
hit more times than it will miss is evident because the 
records for forty years would not show this division if 
it had not done so in the past. 

"As you go farther west into the Texas Panhandle, the 
proportion seems to drop back a month. At Amarillo, 



200 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

with an average annual rainfall of 21 inches, the months 
of May, June, July and August bring an average of 12.49 
inches. This higher altitude calls for later planting, of 
course, but the same effort should be made to get as much 
of the growth of these kafir crops as can possibly be 
secured out of the moisture for these four months." 

Cultivation of Sorghums. Generally speaking, the 
grain sorghums have not to this date had a fair chance 
to demonstrate their usefulness. This is so, principally 
because of late planting in an indifferently prepared seed 
bed and poor cultivation of the growing crop. On many 
farms the sorghums are not planted until all other spring 
planting is done and the first lull comes in spring work, 
frequently resulting in no cultivation in advance of wheat 
harvest, and when so long delayed, the crop is either not 
worked at all or gets its cultivation so late that the ob- 
ject of cultivation, further than the destruction of weeds, 
is not accomplished. Kafir is especially neglected on 
farms growing corn and on many of which farms it is 
grown only because there remains unplanted a piece of 
land too thin or too weedy for corn. Yet, to some extent 
on such farms dependence is placed in kafir because of 
the fear that corn may fail. Thousands of times have 
I heard this remark : "If the corn fails maybe the kafir 
will make something." The grain sorghums, and par- 
ticularly kafir, have had to fight their way to the front 
under just such handicap. Good cultivation for corn 
is good for the sorghums but no less cultivation than is 
given corn will discharge the grower's obligation. 

Early Harrowing is Good. The sorghums should 
be planted in ground so clean that the cultivation need 
not be an all summer's fight on weeds. Their slow early 
growth in a cold, wet spring makes it difficult to clean 
the field and the crop often succumbs to weeds. Early 
cultivation is important to destroy weeds and also to con- 
serve moisture. I know kafir growers who harrow the 
listed field two or three times before the plants are 
through the ground. This, to maintain the soil mulch 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 201 

necessary to prevent moisture evaporation and to kill 
the weeds while small. The harrow teeth should be 
slanted backward and at such angle as to break the crust 
by cutting through it, rather than by digging, as is the 
case when the teeth are set perpendicularly. Harrow- 
ing rolls loose dirt on. the listed furrow sides and this 
promotes moisture conservation. If the field is reason- 
ably smooth — not cloddy — and is not covered with trash, 
the harrow will do no damage by throwing dirt into 
the furrow bottom on top of the young plants, or should 
the plants not be through the soil it will not cover the 
seeds too deep. In a clean, well prepared field, the har- 
row is a good cultivator and may be used advantageously 
until the growing crop is so large that the stalks break 
under it. 

If the listed furrow has become so crusted, as a re- 
sult of dashing rains, that the plants cannot break 
through, this method described by H. M. Bainer, agri- 
cultural demonstrator for the Santa Fe Railroad, is 
recommended: *'A wooden trough through which large 
spikes have been driven from»the inside, will prove an 
excellent implement for the breaking of the crust. These 
spiked troughs may be so arranged as to drag three or 
four rows at one time, and may be used in connection 
with the harrow for the first two or three cultivations 
with good results." This method of working the surface 
of the furrow will delay evaporation, save soil moisture 
and destroy weeds just starting. 

Cultivation Before the Plants Are Up. If the crop 
has been listed in foul ground and cultivation is needed 
to destroy weeds on the furrow sides, this may be done 
when the plants are too small to cultivate or even before 
they are through the ground. I have cultivated many 
acres of listed kafir and corn and cleaned the field from 
weeds before the plants could be seen. This was done 
with a home-made implement quite generally used 
twenty years ago and which was commonly called a ''nig- 
ger starver." It was a sled made of two-by-six planks 



202 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

and sufficiently narrow to follow the listed row without 
crowding the furrow sides. On each side of the sled 
were two knives sloping backward and upward, the up- 
ward slant corresponding to the slope of the furrow side. 
The front knife was about eight inches long, the rear 
knife fourteen inches. These knives cut under the sur- 
face, destroying the weeds on the side of the furrow and 
causing little dirt to fall in the center of the furrow on 
the planted seed. When desirable to have this implement 
cut deep, as in the case of large weeds, the operator rode ; 
when shallow cutting was desired, the operator walked. 
If the knives are kept sharp, and which can be ac- 
complished by filing, this method of cultivation will prove 
effective in weed destruction and may be successfully 
done before the young plant shows itself or while it is 
small. For work at this stage of the crop's growth, the 
''nigger starver" is better adapted than the disk imple- 
ments which in recent years have taken its place, but 
which are superior from the standpoint of working the 
dirt into the furrow and around the plant. The use of 
the harrow, the spiked trough and the "nigger starver'^ 
will well take care of the plant unitl it is large enough, 
to permit deeper stirring of the soil. 

Give Deep Cultivation Early. Unless the crop has 
been listed in hard, unprepared ground there is no need 
for deep cultivation of grain sorghums. The necessity 
for deep cultivation should have been disposed of before 
the crop was planted, by thorough preparation of the 
field. But, if the listed ridges were not broken out to 
at least the depth of plowing, the two feet of ground be- 
tween the rows should be cultivated to a good depth that 
the soil may take up the rains and permit the moisture to 
sink to as great depths as possible, also that the roots 
may easily extend into the space between the rows and 
bring food to the plant from as large area as possible. 
This cultivation should be done by the time the plant 
is sixteen to eighteen inches high and before its roots 
have grown so far to the side as to be injured by deep 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 203 

cultivation. This work can best be done with the com- 
mon four-shovel, two-horse, one-row corn cultivator. 

Later Cultivations Should be Shallow. The subse- 
quent cultivations should be frequent but not so deep as 
to tear the tiny roots which fill the soil in all directions 
from the plant. In a wet season the small roots will be 
found nearer the surface than in a dry season. So, in 
a wet season, the later cultivation should be more shallow 
than in a dry season. In a dry year or in a section of 
light rainfall, three-inch cultivation will conserve mois- 
ture more effectively than will more shallow working. 
There is another condition, however, which should not 
be overlooked. In case the moisture is principally in the 
top soil, then the cultivation should be as shallow as 
possible. This is an unusual condition following a dry 
winter and spring in which the precipitation has not been 
sufficient to reach the subsoil. There is no advantage in 
''laying by" sorghum crops with the row ridged. It is 
just as well to save the time and horse flesh so expended. 
After the soil has been worked into the lister row the 
cultivation should be level. 

The two-horse riding cultivator with six shovels — 
three on each beam — is an ideal implement for cultiva- 
tion until the crop is too large for its use. Then the six 
or eight-shovel walking cultivator, spread to cover the 
entire space between the rows, is the ideal implement 
and it will pay to keep this running. The drier the sea- 
son the more frequent should be the shallow cultivation. 

Large weeds which have escaped the cultivator should 
be cut or pulled. One large weed will rob several grain 
sorghum stalks of the moisture needed to produce a head 
of grain on each. A crop of grain sorghums and of weeds 
can rarely be successfully grown in the same field. 

Butler County Farmer^s Method. A successful kafir 
grower of Butler County, Kansas, wrote Kansas Farmer : 
*'I use a one-row disk cultivator to break out the lister 
ridges, although in advance of listing, the ground in 
which I plant kafir is as well prepared as thorough and 



204 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

frequent disking will accomplish. I follow the disk cul- 
tivator with the common six-shovel corn cultivator. I 
work as long as possible, and at least two weeks later 
than corn. Shallow cultivation is essential, because the 
root system of the kafir plant is extended the full dis- 
tance between the rows. The roots reach out for mois- 
ture in all directions. For breaking the crust between 
the rows after a hard rain I use a harrow with slanted 
teeth and which is not permitted to cut deep enough to 
injure the tiny roots. With the proper care heavy yields 
are easily obtained in this section, and while the kafir 
crop may be a little harder to handle than corn, it brings 
in rich returns from land that will not yield corn in 
paying quantities and under conditions where corn is a 
total failure." 

Late Cultivation at Hays. G. C. Wheeler, associate 
editor of Kansas Farmer, writes of an experience at the 
Hays, Kansas, Agricultural Experiment Station, while he 
was there superintending the building of silos in 1911, 
which shows the value of a late cultivation : 

"Late in August the condition of the crops on the sta- 
tion farm was such as to suggest that the silos then being 
built might stand empty. A field of kafir adjacent to 
the silo was scarcely knee high and apparently had not 
grown for several weeks. Nevertheless, Professor Ten 
Eyck, who was superintendent of the farm, had sufficient 
faith in the future to send out the two-row cultivators 
and go through this field when all conditions seemed to 
indicate that this labor would be thrown away. Rain 
came during the first week in September, accompanied 
iDy hail — which still further damaged the kafir — but the 
amount of moisture was sufficient to give it a fresh start. 
The late rain, combined with the cultivation which had 
served to check the loss of moisture previous to the rain, 
and delayed frost, resulted in the growing of quite a 
creditable crop of feed. 

"I would urge the farmer facing a short feed situation 
to do all he possibly can himself, even though the situa- 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 205 

tion looks discouraging. He has no control over the 
weather, but does have it within his power to give the 
stunted feed crop the last cultivation which may be 
the means of producing the necessary feed to enable him 
to hold the stock he might otherwise be compelled to 
sacrifice." 

Saving Short Feed Crop in Silo. The reader will 
be interested in knowing how the above short feed crop 
was saved and what it accomplished, even though such 
statement may be considered out of place in this chapter. 
Mr. Wheeler's observation continues: 

"If the station had been without the silos, it would 
have been impossible to winter the live stock on hand 
in a satisfactory manner, owing to the shortage of the 
feed crop. Every acre of kafir and corn on the farm 
was cut and hauled to these silos. In some instances the 
distance from the silo to the field was as much as two 
miles. During the extremely severe winter of 1911 and 
1912 which followed, the cattle of the station farm had 
an abundance of roughage of the best kind and came 
through the winter in splendid condition. One hundred 
and forty head of animals were in the herd at that time. 
What would have been the result had the short kafir and 
corn been put up in shocks and stacks in the dry form, 
can readily be imagined by the live stock farmer familiar 
with such conditions. 

"This is another argument for the silo for the live 
stock farmer under conditions which tend to produce 
short feed crops. With a heavy growth of feed we often- 
times can waste large quantities of it and still winter 
our stock in good shape. When feed is short, it is neces- 
sary to utilize to the best advantage possible, every ounce 
of feeding material which has been produced. A stock 
farmer near the station farm at Hays, in commenting 
on the results secured that season in the wintering of the 
Hays stock, stated that on his farm he produced a larger 
and better feed crop than was grown on the station farm. 
He had a smaller amount of live stock to winter, but 



206 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

handled as he necessarily handled his feed, he had great 
difficulty in getting his stock through the winter." 

Early Grain Harvest Gives Green Feed. Grain sor- 
ghums should be harvested in season, always, which is 
as soon as the grain has matured. Kafir, milo and cane 
hold their seed while standing in the field. Feterita 
shatters soon after ripening and the stalks fall. How- 
ever, early harvesting will recover more grain than 
will late harvesting and in the case of kafir and cane 
the green stalks may be pastured most years before kill- 
ing frosts. I believe that such pasturing is safe if the 
crops have matured grain. I have not heard of the loss 
of an animal from poisoning at this stage of the plant's 
development. A crop maturing grain in advance of frost 
would indicate that the plant had not been stunted and 
therefore did not contain prussic acid. However, I 
would recommend that caution be exercised until each 
farmer has thoroughly satisfied himself as to the safety 
of such practice. Horses and cattle eat the leaves first 
and later the succulent stalks to within six or eight inches 
of the ground. Such feed is needed in the early fall when 
pastures are short. This is the best way to realize the 
full feeding value of the kafir stalks when the crop has 
been grown for grain. The forage from thinly grown 
kafir is so coarse that when cured in the shock or stand- 
ing in the field, it has a comparatively low feeding value, 
the waste is great, the forage unpalatable, and handling 
laborious. The pasturing of the kafir or cane field when 
the stalks are green gives feed which will greatly in- 
crease the value of the crop to the live stock-keeping 
farmer. 

The stalk fields of milo are not so valuable for pasture 
as those of kafir or cane, because the leaves are not so 
abundant, the stalks are more woody and less succulent, 
and after the grain ripens the leaves dry, break off and 
blow away. 

Wasteful Grain Harvesting. The prevailing methods 
of harvesting the grain of kafir, milo and cane, are ex- 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 207 

tremely wasteful. It is commonly harvested with the 
corn binder, or, when the stalks are short, with the wheat 
binder; the bundles are shocked and at convenient times 
during the late fall and winter the bundles are topped 
with a hay knife, corn knife, hatchet, or axe. Such 
methods are laborious and the usual dry condition of 
the heads at this time results in shattering and unneces- 
sary waste between the shock and the stack or storage. 
Another loss occurs as a result of the seed being exposed 
to the rains and snows while in the shock, causing moldy 
or germinated grain and consequent loss of feeding and 
market value. When topping from the shock is done at 
convenient times, or, more frequently as feed is needed, 
it is not unusual to find shocks standing in the field when 
spring planting time comes. Then a match is applied and 
both grain and roughage are burned. Often when the 
crop is not shocked it is allowed to stand unharvested 
in the field until mid-winter or later and by which time 
many stalks have fallen and the heads have been lost. 
Grain feed crops are too valuable to be handled in any 
such manner. If every grower could be made to realize 
that the heads of grain sorghums are as valuable as corn, 
much carelessness in handling would at once be over- 
come. 

Best Harvesting Methods. The grain sorghums 
should be harvested when ripe as are other field crops. 
This, to establish a harvest time and that the harvest 
may be begun and finished with the same determination 
to rapidly bring the work to a close as in the case of corn 
husking. The topping can be done by hand at the rate 
of two or three acres per day, provided the crop has not 
been planted thicker than is advisable to produce a good 
yield of grain. In hand-topping, a hustling man and a 
lively stepping team hitched to a wagon with a large box, 
can make the harvest go at a rapid rate. I much prefer 
topping kafir or milo to husking corn. Having learned 
to top kafir in a section in which there was no corn to 
husk except in unusually favorable seasons, may be re- 



208 sorghums: sure money crops 

sponsible for my preference. A heavy, sharp butcher 
knife, or a light, short corn knife, or a hand sickle one- 
half of which has been cut off, are best for hand work. 
Topping done in this way is three or four times as rapid 
as husking corn. 

A Kansas Farmer subscriber, in Missouri, submitted 
this sketch for a handy and rapid kafir, milo or cane 
header. This is a mowing machine sickle bar and 
sickle, equipped with a long lever. The sickle bar 
is hung to the outside of the wagon-box with two 




Missouri Sorghum Grower's Wagon-Box Header. 

hooks made in the shape of the letter **S." The hooks 
should be made to snugly fit the bar and wagon-box side. 
The subscriber says the driver can easily work the lever 
as fast as three men can carry the loose stalks or bundles 
to the device. The heads fall into the wagon-box as cut. 

The wagon-box header is well adapted to the heading 
of kafir, milo and cane. The Eagle Manufacturing Com- 
pany makes such a machine. This header is attached to 
the side of the wagon-box and is driven by a chain from 
a sprocket attached to the rear wheel of the wagon. The 
machine can be adjusted up or down, by a lever, to suit 
the varying heights of stalks and the heading of one row 
at a time is done as fast as a team can walk. 

The Acme Harvesting Machine Company builds a grain 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 209 

sorghum harvesting attachment for its regular model of 
Hodges header. This attachment elevates the platform 
to a height of forty inches and will harvest dwarf kafir 
and milo without gathering an objectionable amount of 
stalks and leaves. The ordinary grain header may be 
adjusted to harvest these crops in seasons or in sections 
in which they do not grow too tall. It is desirable to 
block up the platform so that the sickle bar will cut high 
enough to reduce to a minimum the stalks and leaves 
gathered with the heads. Otherwise, harvesting sor- 
ghums with a header progresses as in the case of wheat. 

While on a trip in Oklahoma during the fall of 1912, 
I observed the harvesting of a crop of dwarf kafir by the 
use of the ordinary wheat header and the farmer was 
doing a neat, clean job. The kafir did not average more 
than four feet high. This man had taken from Kansas 
Farmer the suggestion of pasturing the green stalks, and 
he was pushing the work as rapidly as possible. He 
turned the cattle and horses into the field almost as soon 
as the header started. The topped kafir stalks supplied 
abundant pasturage and the animals showed every 
evidence of appreciation of the feed. 

I harvested kafir with the header one year but did 
not repeat the operation because so many leaves and 
stalks were gathered with the heads as to make feeding 
inconvenient and extravagant. Moreover, the green 
stalks and leaves caused the ricks of heads to mold. How- 
ever, this latter objection would not hold if harvesting 
were delayed until after frost. 

Storing Heads of Sorghums. Whether harvested by 
hand or by machine, the heads should be well stacked. 
Some grain which would ordinarily mold will be saved 
if the stack is started on at least a foot of straw, hay, or 
dry stalks. The stack should be made six to eight feet 
wide, ten to twelve feet high, and topped as is hay or 
wheat. Such stack can be easily built by one man, pro- 
vided the heads have been topped short and not mixed 
with too many stalks and leaves. The heads should be 



210 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

handled with a fork and a satisfactory stack can be built 
from the wagon. If the topping is done by machinery 
and more or less dry leaves and stalks are mixed with the 
heads, larger stacks may be built. In such case a man 
should be placed on the stack since the volume to handle 
is larger and some tramping is necessary for satisfactory 
stacking. Such general principles apply as in good stack- 
ing of wheat or hay. The middle should be kept full and 
the sides perpendicular until the top begins. The sides 
should be combed down with a fork and all loose heads 
pulled out. Such stack will turn rain. 

In the eastern section of Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, 
where the fall and winter rainfall is reasonably heavy, 
it will pay to top the stacks with long grass or rye straw, 
or, better still, with board or metal stack covers. Farm- 
ers in these sections are quite generally covering alfalfa 
hay stacks and there is equal need for protecting the 
stacks of grain sorghum heads. Farther west where the 
winter's precipitation is not so great, less care may be 
exercised in stacking, but it is not wise to risk losing a 
crop after it has been grown, and enough care should be 
given to save it. 

Hand-topped heads, if thoroughly dry when harvested, 
may be stored like corn in the ordinary crib, the so-called 
portable corn crib or in a circle of woven wire. I have 
seen five or six rings of hog wire, one on top of the 
other, confining the hand-topped heads from a field of 
thirty acres and threshing a thousand bushels of grain. 
But unless the heads are dry when placed in a pile of 
such size, there will be danger of great damage by 
heating. 

Threshing Grain Sorghums. Every good thresher of 
wheat or oats can successfully thresh the heads of sor- 
ghums. Most threshermen will refuse to run the forage 
through their separators and this method is not to be 
commended. It is expensive and laborious. If the 
threshed grain is to be fed, kernels broken in threshing 
will not be objectionable, but if the grain is to be mar- 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 211 

keted the threshing should be so done as to reduce the 
broken grains to a minimum. The grain should be well 
cleaned, also, because dirty grain is more inclined to 
heating in the bin and uncleaned grain of sorghums does 
not sell to as good advantage as cleaned. Elsewhere is 
given the market grades for kafir and milo. Threshing 
will throw some grain into the straw and this can be 
recovered by giving the calves, pigs and chickens access 
to the straw pile. 

Thresh During Dry Weather. Threshing should be 
done when the stems and the grain are thoroughly dry, 
and should be delayed until as late as possible in the fall. 
A large and successful kafir grower of Ellsworth County, 
Kansas, says if kafir heads are left in the stack a year 
before threshing the grain will not heat in the bin. It 
is my observation, following experience, that kafir 
threshed during dry weather does not have the same 
tendency to heat in the bin as that threshed during damp 
weather. I believe that the grain of kafir, milo and 
feterita rapidly absorbs moisture and that this is largely 
contributory to heating. It is my opinion that the grain 
of the sorghums "sweats" in the stack and following 
which, if thoroughly dry before threshing, it will not heat 
in the bin, but if "sweating" does not occur in the stack 
it will take place in the bin and result in serious loss. 
This opinion is by no means conclusive, but I am sure 
that the grain of thoroughly dry heads threshed during 
dry weather will not have the same tendency to heat as 
in the case of opposite conditions. 

The threshed grain of sorghums is regarded as diffi- 
cult to hold without heating. Elevators storing such 
grain expect to move it from bin to bin so soon as heating 
is manifested. The exposure of the grain to the air dries 
and cools it. The farmer who stores the threshed grain 
can expect to do some stirring by shoveling in case heat- 
ing begins. Usually heating occurs in the spring during 
the season of natural germination. However, the grower 
who sells his surplus soon after threshing need not worry 



212 



sorghums: sure money crops 



about heating, and that part of the crop which he feeds 
can be handled profitably and economically without 
threshing and which subject is discussed in a later 
chapter. 

Bin Ventilator for Sorghums. Various plans for the 
construction of ventilated storage bins have been sug- 
gested and are regarded as more or less successful, but 
experiments directed toward handling in such way as 




Sketch of (leorge Bishop's Ventilator for Kafir Bin, 



to prevent heating will lead to more economical and prac- 
tical results. A bin ventilator which has given good 
satisfaction was designed by George Bishop, a large kafir 
grower of Washita County, Oklahoma, and which was 
described and illustrated in the Oklahoma Farm Journal, 
as follows: 

'The ventilator is made of one-by-four pieces the 
length that the bin is wide, held together by one-by-two 
strips six inches long, covered on top and the ends with 
heavy fly screen. The plan of placing it is to cut a hole 
in the outside of the bin the size of the ventilator and 
even with the bottom of the bin. The ventilator is then 
inserted, resting on the floor of the bin, leaving the end, 
which you will note is covered with the screen wire the 
same as the top, flush with the outside of the bin, as indi- 
cated in the drawing. 

"The cross braces, on the under side of the ventilator, 
are nailed onto the one-by-fours, instead of being set into 
them as are the braces on the top side. This is to permit 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 213 

the circulation of air between the ventilators on a level 
with the floor. These ventilators should be placed at 
intervals of about every other upright or every third 
upright in the frame of the bin. 

"If the grain becomes heated, the heated air naturally 
rises and the cool air is drawn in the ventilators and dis- 
tributed through the body of the grain. If kafir bins 
are entirely inside of a barn, as grain bins usually are, 
they should be built of plain boxing plank. Neither ship- 
lap nor tongue and groove stuff is necessary to hold 
grain of any kind for that matter, and ventilation will 
be aided by the small cracks through which grain will 
not waste so long as they are horizontal. 

'^Before filling the bin, it is better to hobble the venti- 
lators together the distance apart they are to remain, 
because if the grain does not fill in on them evenly, they 
will be pushed to one side." 

Harvesting Kafir and Cane Forage. The prevailing 
methods of harvesting drilled or thick listed kafir or 
cane for forage, are more wasteful than the common 
methods of grain harvesting. This wastage comes from 
two sources : first, because the crop is cut either so early 
or so late, that the forage does not possess its highest 
feeding value, and second, because the crop is cocked or 
shocked in such way as to result in excessive deteriora- 
tion in quality and depreciation in feeding value. It is 
vastly important that all forage be so saved as to provide 
the largest amount of the best feed possible. Profes- 
sional feeders have learned the value of palatability in 
feeds and also the value of feeds high in nutrients which 
can be assimilated by the animal. Feeding quality of 
roughage depends upon the stage of growth at which the 
crop is harvested and the manner in which it is stored, 
to a much greater extent than most farmers believe. 

When to Cut for Forage. Kafir or cane makes the 
best forage if cut when the seed is in the dough. It is 
at this stage that it has the highest feeding value. 
Farmers generally recognize that the forage of immature 



214 sorghums: sure money crops 

crops does not possess as great feeding value as crops 
nearer maturity, also that the immature forage is more 
difficult to save in good condition. It sometimes occurs 
that the crop must be cut earlier than desired that it may 
be rescued from extremely dry weather or from frosts. 
Such conditions were experienced in Kansas in 1911 and 
also in 1913. During those years much immature forage 
was harvested. That placed in silos gave the greatest 
feeding satisfaction it was possible for such material to 
give. During the dry fall of 1911 that held in the field 
kept fairly well; in the year 1913, however, that left in 
the field and exposed to the fall rains, molded and rotted 
badly and many a farmer who thought he had sufficient 
feed, was disappointed. If the immature forage of any 
plant has been well cured it is usually more palatable and 
more relished by the animal than that near maturity. 
This is especially noticeable in the case of prairie hay, 
millet, kafir and cane, but the observing feeder has noted 
that such forages do not produce the desired feeding re- 
sults and the reason is, as feeders say, "the substance 
was not there." For silage, kafir and cane should be 
mature or just past the dough stage, but this point will 
be more fully discussed elsewhere. 

Nutrients in the Several Stages of Growth. I have 
been unable to find figures showing the development of 
nutrients in any of the sorghums at the various stages 
of growth, but detailed data have been worked out on 
the changes in the corn plant covering the period from 
the time it comes into full tassel until the kernels are 
ripe. The changes in the composition of the corn plant 
may be safely applied to the forage of sorghums. The 
figures given below are taken from a table in Henry's 
"Feeds and Feeding," and are the results of the study 
of Ladd, of the Geneva, New York, Agricultural Experi- 
ment Station, on the development of nutrients in a 
measured acre of corn. 



grain sorghum farming 215 

Tasseled Silked Milk Glazed Ripe 
July 30 Aug. 9 Aug. 21 Sep. 7 Sep. 23 
Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. 
Weight, green. .18,045 25,745 32,600 32,295 28,460 

Water 16,426 22,666 27,957 25,093 20,540 

Dry matter. . . . 1,619 3,078 4,643 7,202 7,918 

Nutrients : 

Ash 139 201 232 302 364 

Crude protein . . 240 437 479 644 678 

Carbohydrates.. 1,168 2,272 3,703 5,996 6,562 
Fat 72 168 229 260 314 

From tasseling to the stage in which the kernels were 
in the milk, the gross weight of this acre of corn in- 
creased 14,000 pounds, and between this latter time and 
ripening the total weight decreased 4,000 pounds. It will 
be noted from the figures that as the corn plant ap- 
proached maturity, the dry matter steadily increased, 
resulting in an increase in all the feeding nutrients. In 
the glazed stage this corn contained the largest amount 
of dry matter and it is at this stage that corn is regarded 
as making the best silage or fodder. It is altogether prob- 
able that the above data apply to Yankee corn grown in 
New York, which corn does not dent, and the glazed stage, 
no doubt, is equivalent to the dent stage known to every 
corn-growing farmer in the West. I feel it is not far 
amiss to consider the condition of our corn when in the 
dent as equivalent to that of the glazed period in the table. 

The dent stage in corn corresponds with the late dough 
stage in kafir — that stage when the crushed kernel ap- 
pears starchy — and it is at this stage that the forage or 
silage of kafir will yield the highest feeding value. Corn, 
kafir or cane cut in the milk, makes roughage which 
rapidly deteriorates when exposed to the elements, and 
silage which is ''sloppy" and sour. Kafir or cane cut in 
the late dough stage will produce the best silage or forage. 
After the dent stage in corn or dough stage in kafir or 
cane, the constituents of feeding value decrease in the 
stalk and increase in the grain. 



216 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

Harvesting Forage With Binder. The desire to har- 
vest kaf ir and cane forage expeditiously and economically 
has led to the general use of the corn binder, and even 
of the grain binder in seasons or in sections in which 
the crop grows sufficiently short. Generally, when either 
implement is used, the crop is allowed to stand until 
mature to overcome the possibility of heating and mold- 
ing in the center of the bundle. In fact, to overcome the 
possibility of such damage, I have known farmers to 
delay harvesting until the crop had been frosted. If 
harvest is delayed until such time the forage cannot make 
the best feed. In common practice when these crops 
are planted for both forage and grain, the importance 
of well matured grain holds precedence over forage value 
in the farmer's mind and this fact is responsible for the 
late cutting and the consequent poor forage, and is one 
of the good reasons why a planting should be made for 
each purpose. 

Kafir or cane planted thickly in rows, for forage, 
as has heretofore been recommended, need not be 
permitted to stand in the field until near dry or 
exposed to frost, that the binder may be used. If the 
forage is thickly planted the stalks will be small and 
so will cure more rapidly than large stalks. In the 
thickly planted crop there will be more or less dead 
leaves on the lower part of the stalks. The small stalks 
and the dry leaves are contributing factors in curing. 
The binder should be adjusted to make small bundles 
which should be shocked almost immediately following 
the binder. The shocks should be set north and south 
or in the direction of the prevailing winds. They 
should be built only two bundles wide — in pairs of two 
bundles opposite each other, each pair taking the form 
of an inverted letter '*V." The shocks should not be 
built longer than four or five pairs of bundles will make. 
The wind will blow through the V-shaped opening and 
the air will circulate around each bundle so that in 
favorable weather the bundles will cure perfectly. The 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 217 

work can be so done that several such small shocks will 
stand together, and after curing the bundles can be set 
into one large shock for winter storage, or, better still, 
stacked near the feed lot. If the grain binder is used, 
it is likely that not more than two rows can be cut in one 
swath. If the stand is heavy, one row only can be cut. 

West of the 100th meridian the usual season will be 
such as to permit this method of harvesting with perfect 
satisfaction, and it presents advantages and conveniences 
which every feeder will recognize. If the crop is to be 
put in the silo, cutting with a binder is far more econom- 
ical and expeditious than other methods. 

The Corn Sled. In case the farmer does not have 
either corn or grain binder, then the corn sled — either 
home-made or manufactured — stands next from the 
standpoint of convenience. The shocks should not be made 
too large to permit of ready curing. Small shocks so 
made will cure more rapidly than shocks of bound forage. 
The cutting of thickly planted sorghums with the corn 
knife is not necessary unless the acreage be small. A 
home-made corn sled will require a cash outlay so small 
that the farmer in the most straitened financial circum- 
stances can afford to build one. The use of the corn sled 
is illustrated on page 66. 

Harvesting With Mower. Each year a large acreage 
of sorghum forage crops is cut with the mower and placed 
in cocks in the field. While in general practice this is 
most wasteful, there is no reason why it should be, and 
such method is reasonably expeditious and will permit 
saving the forage in fine condition. The mowing should 
be done when the weather is favorable for curing. Should 
the crop be ready to harvest in the midst of a spell of 
threatening or wet weather, it is better to leave it stand- 
ing than to cut it and be unable to effect satisfactory 
curing. This remark applies to all methods of harvesting 
all sorts of forage crops. 

If the ground is wet during or following cutting, cur- 
ing will be difficult. Under these conditions curing can 



218 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

be promoted by cutting the stubble longer than is com- 
mon, and this will to a great extent prevent the cut forage 
from lying on the ground, giving the air a chance to 
circulate below and through it. If the ground is dry 
and the sun shining when the crop is mowed, it will cure 
rapidly even though the stand is thick. The term 
"curing" as here used, is intended to convey the thought 
of drying the forage to the point that it will keep in the 
cock without heating and molding, and not in the sense 
that the juices of the plant are to be evaporated until 
the forage is totally robbed of the constituent ordinarily 
called water but which cannot be returned to the plant 
by any means of watering. The forage should be cured 
to the point that in raking and handling the leaves will 
not break off the stalks or pulverize and blow away. The 
proper curing of the leaves is usually an indication 
that the stalks of thickly grown kafir or cane are also 
properly cured. When the stalks are small — ranging 
from the size of one's little finger down — this stage of 
curing is easily reached. If the stalks are large the leaves 
are likely to become too dry before the stalks are cured 
sufficiently to put in the cock. 

Weather conditions should govern the rapidity with 
which the crop can be mowed, cured, and cocked. In 
general, the same careful methods of saving the kafir 
and cane sowed crop should prevail as in the case of 
alfalfa. The farmer whose force is composed of only 
two men, would not regard it good judgment to have 
forty acres of alfalfa on the ground at one time. He 
would mow six or eight acres and get this into the stack, 
and repeat this operation until the entire crop was har- 
vested. The same precaution should be exercised in put- 
ting up sorghum hay. In showering or threatening 
weather the crop is much better standing than on the 
ground. Kafir and cane hay is injured fully as much 
when exposed to rains or other unfavorable curing con- 
ditions, as is alfalfa. In order that the entire forage crop 
be not ready for harvest at the same time, plantings may 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 219 

be made three or four days apart, and this is a practice 
followed by a good many farmers of my acquaintance. 

Generally speaking, the above precautions are not 
taken in the saving of kafir and cane forage. This, be- 
cause of the generally accepted idea that kafir and cane 
are not damaged by exposure and so do not require care- 
ful handling; and second, because they are not regarded 
as high quality roughage and therefore the loss in quality 
of feed is not considered as important. We have too 
long gone on the theory that the principal purpose of 
feed is to fill an empty stomach and not that the feed 
given have in it the nutrition necessary to properly main- 
tain the animal. 

Handling Mowed Forage in Field. Neither kafir 
nor cane forage readily stack-burns. Usually it is so 
coarse that it does not settle rapidly and so thoroughly 
cures in the small cocks in which it is put. However, 
it is the part of wisdom to take a chance on a little stack- 
burned forage in the center of a large cock, rather than 
place it in small cocks and take the chance of the rains 
and snows spoiling the entire crop. 

I recommend the building of cocks containing at least 
one good-sized hay rack load or 1,500 to 1,800 pounds. 
The best way to get the forage to the cock is to use a 
strong, two-horse hay rake, driving the rake just far 
enough into the swath to load, and drawing to the cock 
by the shortest route. A dozen or more rake loads can 
be pulled together, each on top of the other, to form the 
foundation and subsequent rake loads drawn to the side 
of the cock. Two men can be used to good advantage, 
each pitching onto the cock, one tramping it occasionally 
until the cock reaches the height when topping should 
begin. Then one man should mount the cock and top 
it out. The pitchers should keep in mind that the middle 
of each cock should be kept full. Continuous combing 
down with the fork will remove all loose stalks, giving 
the cock good form and leaving the sides in such condi- 
tion that they will readily turn water. The top should 



220 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

be well constructed,- and sharp, for it must protect the 
entire quantity of feed from damage by rains. So soon 
as the cock is finished, or at least before the winds have 
blown the top off, it should be tied down. 

The advantages of the large cock are that the feed 
will keep perfectly and so well that it can be carried 
over into the following season with assurance of good 
feed coming from it. There is a quite common belief that 
it does not pay to hold kaf ir or cane forage from one year 
to another. Handled in the ordinary way, it does not 
pay, but if cocked in the method above described the 
advantages are apparent in the quality and in the total 
quantity saved. Furthermore, the heaviest snow will 
not bury the cocks, and the easy access to and the sav- 
ing of labor in loading and hauling in bad weather will 
fully offset the additional labor and care required. If 
the reader has never tried saving kaf ir or cane in large 
cocks, he cannot appreciate these advantages. To make 
large cocks is not laborious, either. The delivery of the 
forage to the cock on all sides by the horse rake, over- 
comes unnecessary labor in pitching and the use of the 
horse rake does not tangle and compress the forage to 
the point that pitching is as difficult, as when the go-devil 
is used. 

I would prefer five acres of cane or kafir forage put 
up in this way, to ten acres put up in the ordinary small 
cock of four or five forkfuls. I have fed thousands of 
tons of cane and kafir forage so put up and have been 
able to observe the highly satisfactory results from feed- 
ing forage which was green and succulent and possess- 
ing the aroma of newly mown hay. The reader, after 
one trial, will realize the superior results obtained from 
such forage as compared with that indifferently har- 
vested, cured and stored in small cocks and which has 
been wet through and through before feeding. The for- 
age of kafir and cane is good forage, as it grows in the 
field. If it is not good when placed in the feeding racks 
its inferiority is due to poor handling. 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 221 

Sorghums as Green Manure. For that part of the 
sorghum belt west of the 98th meridian the plowing 
under of sorghum crops affords the cheapest, quickest 
and most easy means of getting the needed vegetable mat- 
ter into the soil. These soils, handled by the long pre- 
vailing methods, are deficient in vegetable matter. The 
plowing under of sorghum crops does not add nitro- 
gen to the soil as do cow^peas or clover, but the decaying 
of such crops makes plant food already in the soil more 
available for the growing crop. The soils of the sorghum 
belt are generally fertile, but have in the past been so 
farmed that the food for plants is not readily obtainable 
by them. In the Kaw Valley it is not uncommon for 
farmers to plow under enormous crops of turnips and 
rape, sown in the fall after other crops are removed. 
The sorghums will do for the Western farmer what these 
do for the Eastern Kaw Valley farmer. If on every 
quarter section farm lying west of the 98th meridian, ten 
acres of green sorghum were plowed under each year, 
farm owners would realize that they were cultivating a 
different soil — so marked would be the handling and 
cropping results as compared with the present. 

''A field I sowed to cane in June and plowed under 
after a frost, covering it wholly, made the soil, for sev- 
eral years, more mellow and moist than any other on the 
farm," writes A. H. Griesa, of Douglas County, Kansas. 

Kafir Good Substitute for Corn. ''My experience 

leads me to believe that kafir is more sure to make a 
crop than corn and is a good substitute. I do not think 
kafir can be successfully followed by wheat drilled 
in the stalks. I do not regard the fodder of great value 
when the kafir seed has matured," writes H. M. Laing, 
Russell County, Kansas. 

Most Planting Too Thick for Grain. ''Most farmers 
plant kafir too thick for a grain crop. This is especially 
true of dry seasons," writes an Oklahoma County, Okla- 
homa, subscriber to Kansas Farmer. "I stop up every 
second hole in the kafir drill plate with lead. This drops 



222 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

right for good-sized heads in this country. I have won- 
dered why more farmers did not plant kafir. It is the 
surest crop we can grow. When kafir is planted and 
cultivated as it should be the crop will not fail. I have 
grown kafir here in Oklahoma for thirteen years with- 
out a single failure. In 1911 I grew thirty-five to forty 
bushels per acre on the highest ground in this country." 

Kafir, Milo and Feterita Similarity. It is apparent 
from what has been said in the preceding pages that 
kafir, milo, feterita and cane farming are so similar as 
to make unnecessary extended individual treatment. The 
farmer should study the adaptability of each to the needs 
of his farming plan, keeping in mind the limitations of 
the precipitation and the length of the growing season 
for his section, and use the crop best suited to his con- 
ditions. The planting, cultivation, harvesting, and feed- 
ing, so closely resemble corn growing and feeding meth- 
ods, that the farmer who knows how to grow and feed 
corn need have no doubt of his ability to succeed with 
the sorghums. 

More Kafir, Cane and Milo. This chapter, having to 
do with the farming of the sorghums, could not close 
with more fitting remarks than the following by J. H. 
Miller, dean of the agricultural extension department of 
Kansas Agricultural College, and while directed to the 
farmers of Kansas, apply with equal force to farmers 
in every section of the sorghum belt : 

"Kansas farmers should depend more on kafir, cane 
and milo. These will insure — as nearly as that is pos- 
sible — the feed needed for all the live stock the farm will 
carry. 

''There are but few counties in Kansas where I would 
not advise farmers to plant more acres of these non- 
saccharine sorghums. Seven-tenths of the farmers of 
Kansas push one crop to the extreme. Those of Western 
Kansas grow too many acres of wheat, and those of East- 
ern Kansas grow too many acres of corn. Good farm 
management would reduce these 'one crop' acreages and 



GRAIN SORGHUM FARMING 223 

divide the rush labor periods. The wheat counties must 
change and grow more corn or more sorghum in order 
to grow more live stock. Furthermore, such a plan 
would reduce the summer plowing and allow every 
farmer to complete his plowing for wheat by August 15 
and thus get a better seed bed and a bigger crop. 

"The Eastern Kansas farmer who tries each year to 
increase his corn acreage is equally at fault. Kafir will 
outyield corn in most years, and I think the average will 
be about equal for a ten-year period. The reduced corn 
acreage will enable the farmer to get his corn planted in 
better shape and in better time, and he then could plant 
his kafir, and thus through the season his kafir work 
would come in just a few days later than his corn work. 
Whenever kafir is followed by corn or oats, the ground 
should be plowed in the fall to allow it to get more mois- 
ture. Kafir is not any harder on ground than corn, as 
far as fertility is concerned, but it does take more mois- 
ture, and therefore the fall plowing or fall disking. The 
fall work is also nicely divided. 

"I have been recommending the following proportion 
of feed crop acreages for Kansas: Eastern sixty miles, 
one-fourth to kafir, three-fourths to corn ; next one hun- 
dred miles, one-half to each; next one hundred forty 
miles, three-fourths kafir and cane, and one-fourth corn ; 
last one hundred miles, nine-tenths to kafir, cane and 
milo, and one-tenth (if any) to early varieties of corn. 
With the right kind of farming there is seldom any neces- 
sity for a loss of feed of kafir, cane or milo. Milo should 
be grown on every farm in the extreme western counties. 

''Many farmers make two serious mistakes in the hand- 
ling of kafir : (1) They neglect to work the ground early 
enough in the spring, seeming to act under the impres- 
sion that, because kafir is a dry weather-resistant crop, 
it does not need any moisture saved for it. (2) They al- 
most universally neglect to gather seed from the field, 
when they could select the early ripening heads and 
thus, by breeding, shorten the growing period needed and 
also have their fields ripen uniformly the next year. 



224 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 




The Head to the Riglit Is High Yielding Head of True Kafir Type 

and Typical of a Field Yielding 80 Bushels per Acre in 1912. 

The Head to the Left Is a Loav Yielding Head and Typical of a 
Field Yielding 20 Bushels per Acre in 1912.— The Reader Should 
Note Carefully the Difference in the Type of the Two Heads 
and Should Plant Seed from High Yielding Tine Kafir Type 
Heads Only. 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS. 

During the fall of 1912 I received many inquiries from 
readers of Kansas Farmer who sought to know the cause 
of the general annually decreasing yields of kafir. The 
call for help came from every section of Kansas and 
indicated a deep-seated desire to know the truth. The 
investigation made in an effort to correctly answer these 
inquiries, and the observations incident thereto regarding 
grain sorghum farming in general, resulted in my de- 
cision to write this book. In every locality in which t 
sought information, there prevailed a lack of apprecia- 
tion of the possibilities of kafir and other grain sor- 
ghums. I soon arrived at the conclusion that the grain 
sorghums were not as well understood as their value 
warranted and this book was conceived as a result of 
the desire to contribute something which might encour- 
age the reader in better grain sorghum farming and a 
consequent larger return for his labor. 

For years I was a grower of kafir as the crop of prin- 
cipal dependence for grain and forage, and in my travels 
and visits among farmers in every county in Kansas 
during the last ten years I have made observations which 
appear to me as being of value. So, it may be said that 
this is not a burst of spontaneity but is the record of a 
lifetime of reasonably intimate relationship with the sor- 
ghums and sorghum growers. For years I had noted the 
decreasing yields of which my inquirers complained but 
had no occasion to place my conclusions in type until I 
became actively engaged in editing a farm paper, which 
duty I have taken so seriously as to make an honest en- 
deavor to learn and write of those things of some 
money value to the man who tills the soil. 

I had long held that the decreasing yields of kafir were 

225 



226 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



due to neglect in seed selection, because I could see that 
the prevailing type of kafir head of recent years was 
widely varying from the type introduced into Kansas in 
the early ''eighties" by the Federal Department of Agri- 
culture through the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Sta- 
tion. In my experience I had learned the necessity for 
keeping the seed of kafir pure and the difficulties en- 




These are Better Heads Than the Average of Kansas Kafir Fields, 
Yet Low- Yielding. — See Illustration 234. 

countered in preventing cross-fertilization or ''mixing" 
with cane when growing the two crops on the same farm, 
or even on adjoining farms. I had observed that on few 
farms was any effort made to maintain either the purity 
of kafir or the yield, by selection of choice heads for seed. 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 227 

My correspondence with inquirers developed the fact that 
they, too, realized these conditions but failed to under- 
stand why the seed had ''run out" and did not know how 
to re-establish kafir to its former usefulness. However, 
in my search for higher than common yields and the con- 
tributing causes therefor, I found an occasional grower 
who had maintained good yields and in whose hands the 
performance of the crop had been so satisfactory year 
after year as to warrant an increasing appreciation of 
its dependability. 

Yields to be Expected in Kansas. Investigation de- 
veloped the fact that there are many farmers who do 
not have a true conception of the grain yields to be ex- 
pected from kafir. To be sure, the yield of kafir will 
vary under those conditions which produce varying 
yields of other crops. I was unable to obtain from in- 
quirers or others, any accurate data as to former grain 
yields that a comparison might be made with acre yields 
in more recent years, but in nearly every case the answer 
was that kafir now yields less than half as much as 
formerly. 

On page 88 it is shown that the average kafir grain 
yield per acre for the eleven-year period, 1889-1899 in- 
clusive, was 46 bushels as compared with 34.5 bushels 
of corn, at the Manhattan, Kansas, Agricultural Experi- 
ment Station. On page 89 it is shown that at the same 
station for the thirteen-year period, 1901-1913, the aver- 
age acre yield of kafir was 50 bushels as compared with 
58 bushels of corn. It is believed, however, that the corn 
grown during the latter period was better adapted and 
of heavier yielding varieties than was the corn in the 
first named period. A close examination of the figures 
on these pages would make it appear that the yield of 
kafir in a year favorable to corn should be at least 
equal to the corn yield, and in seasons unfavorable to 
corn the grain yield of kafir should greatly exceed the 
yield of corn. Reliable figures herein contained show 
that for the so-called ''poor" corn year — except in sea- 



228 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

sons of near total failure for both crops — the kafir yield 
is double the yield of corn and in some years even more 
than this. 

Numerous other references to yields occur in the pre- 
ceding pages but incidental to elaboration upon other 
points. However, individual yields in various sections 
of Kansas throw some light on the yielding ability of 
kafir and on what farmers can expect from selected seed 
of near pure strains. 

0. W. Prather, Jewell County, Kansas, wrote in April, 
1912: ''My kafir in 1910 made 60 bushels per acre on 
thin upland and my 1911 crop was as good. The aver- 
age weight of a cured head from my field was one-half 
pound. I select seed from the field, hang the heads in 
the shed to dry, and store until ready for planting." 

"Kafir can be made to reach the 40-bushel mark on 
any upland in Kansas by proper cultivation and selection 
of seed. I have grown it as a main crop from its first 
introduction, and in feeding value find it in every way 
the equal of corn and the fodder is much superior to 
that of corn. The farmers of the state have been so care- 
less in selecting seed that much kafir does not mature 
before frost. I have kept mine from maturing later than 
September 10 and any one can do this by selecting the 
earliest maturing heads each year," writes J. G. Mitchell, 
Wilson County, Kansas. 

J. W. Berry, Jewell County, Kansas, in March, 1913, 
after reading Kansas Farmer articles discussing kafir 
seed selection and illustrating high and low-yielding 
types of heads, wrote me: "Your article will prove a 
revelation to kafir growers. I have been following its 
principles of seed selection for many years. Our kafir 
in 1912 made nineteen tons of silage per acre. While 
filling the silo, twenty boys of the agricultural class of 
our high school made an estimate of the grain yield, by 
harvesting the heads from several average rows, drying 
and shelling them and weighing the threshed corn, and 
they reported 125.2 bushels as the acre yield. I am sure 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 229 

the yield for the entire field was between 80 and 100 
bushels. Three years ago my kafir grown from the same 
seed made 83 bushels per acre." 

Other 1912 kafir yields reported were : Frank Lalodge, 
Sedgwick County, average, 63 bushels; forty-one acres 
grown by Press Kid, Chase County, yielded 60 bushels 
per acre ; and Frank Stewart's field, also of Chase Coun- 
ty, yielded 90 bushels per acre. 

A general farmer of Butler County, Kansas, who grows 
all he can and saves all he grows, is J. J. Johnson. His 
average has been 50 bushels of kafir on upland which 
produces only 20 bushels of corn per acre. Mr. Johnson 
selects seed heads in the field and plants from the true 
type only. 

It is interesting to contrast the above yields with the 
average of those 32,160 Kansas farms which reported 
kafir yields to the Federal Department of Agriculture in 
the 1910 census, which average was 13.2 bushels per 
acre. It may be considered that the census report is 
near a correct average for the state in that year and 
which was the year of the third highest average acre 
value during the 1901-1913 period. It is to be remem- 
bered, of course, that these averages include the acreage 
sown for combined forage and roughage — conditions 
which are not favorable to high grain yields. 

Low and High Yields for Oklahoma. Earlier in the 
book will be found authentic farm yields for Oklahoma, 
ranging from 60 to 124 bushels of grain per acre. These 
are reported in connection with pictures of high yield- 
ing type of heads and these yields are in striking contrast 
with the average acre yields for that state reported on 
page 79. 

In one of the best farming districts of Grady County, 
Oklahoma, and in which county kafir has been grown 
for years, yields of only 15 to 25 bushels are reported 
and good farmers of Kingfisher and Garfield counties re- 
port about the same yield for their counties. A Cana- 
dian County, Oklahoma, banker says the yields of kafir 



230 sorghums: sure money crops 

in his county do not exceed eleven bushels per acre and 
until he was shown the effect of type on yield and the 
results from growing high-yielding strains, he was ad- 
vising the farmers of his county against planting kafir. 
It is interesting to compare the yields in those coun- 
ties where kafir has long been grown — and in which 
counties no attention has been given to seed selection — 
with those of counties recently engaged in growing kafir 
and the farmers of which obtained choice seed. In Greer, 
Carter and Johnson counties there are districts where 
kafir was grown in 1912 for the first time, the seed hav- 
ing been purchased from growers of high-yielding 
strains. In these districts there were many yields of 
65 to 85 bushels per acre. Neither soil nor climatic con- 
ditions were more favorable than in the districts where 
11 to 25 bushels per acre were grown. 

In the face of these facts it would seem that the farm- 
ers of Kansas and Oklahoma were justified in inquiring 
into the cause of low yields. It would also appear that the 
farmers of Central Kansas and Oklahoma who did not in 
1912 grow at least 40 bushels of well matured kafir per 
acre, should get better seed, and the yields above reported 
should hold much hope for those who seek such standard. 
Causes of Disappointing Yields. It has already 
been explained how late, thick and careless planting, 
poor cultivation and late maturity, contribute to low 
yields. That each of these conditions has its effect on 
yield, is beyond question. Another important and prin- 
cipal cause, however, is the planting of seed from a low- 
yielding type of head and which has the same result on 
kafir yield as would the planting of corn from nubbins. 

The low-yielding type of head has small capacity for 
bearing seed because of the loss of those characteristics 
which prevail in heads of large seed-bearing capacity. 
It is a hybrid — the result of mixing by cross-fertilization 
with other sorghums, principally with cane or broomcorn, 
or both, and which are commonly grown in the kafir-pro- 
ducing sections. The low-yielding head is in fact the re- 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 231 

suit of permitting the seed of pure kafir to ''run out" 
through failure on the part of the grower to select heads 
of the true kafir type and so keep the seed pure. The 
planting of such seed year after year has resulted in 
degeneration to the point that the low-yielding head is 
the generally prevailing field type. 

There is a marked difference in seed in its ability to 
produce vigorous plants and such as are likely to give 
a good yield. The vitality of seed is dependent upon the 
character of plant upon which it was produced, its ma- 
turity, and the conditions under which it has been kept 
from the time of maturity in the field until planting time. 
Seed of high vitality is produced only on vigorous stalks, 
the seed from less hardy stalks being of low vitality and 
not able to overcome the vicissitudes which frequently 
befall the crop during the growing season. Vigorously 
growing seed is that which has been fully matured; it 
has a fully developed embryo which is provided with a 
maximum of plant food for the support of the young 
plant until the roots can take food from the soil. In the 
immature seed the embryo is not well developed, the food 
supply is reduced and the seed has the same small chance 
to overcome adversity and develop into a high degree of 
usefulness as has the runt of the litter to become a 300- 
pound porker. 

That the neglect to select mature seed heads and give 
them proper care until planting time has resulted in 
seriously affecting the yield, can be better understood 
by observing the manner in which the seed on most kafir- 
growing farms is handled. For ninety-nine of every one 
hundred fields the seed planted is taken from the bin. 
The early and late maturing heads, the mature and im- 
mature, the heads of hybrid kafir and those of cane or 
broomcorn, are threshed together and the seed thorough- 
ly mixed. There is no means by which these seeds can be 
completely separated before planting. The time of har- 
vesting and threshing and the method of storing are not 
such as to prevent damage by the elements or overcome 



232 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

the effects of heating in the bin. This mixture of seed 
is planted as a year-after-year practice. The degener- 
ating effects of such handling have been cumulative to the 
point that the resulting crop can in fact no longer be 
known as kafir. Nor is this an exaggeration of the com- 
mon method of handling kafir seed. 

Here are some of the direct results of planting such 
seed and each of which has its effect on the yield: 

Seed from hybrid heads produces a hybrid and which, 
in kafir, is a low yielder. 

The planting of mature and immature seed causes un- 
even ripening and the slow growing plants do not mature 
before frost. 

The varying vitality of mature and immature seed fre- 
quently results in a poor stand, the less vigorous plants 
perishing under unfavorable growing conditions. 

The vigor of all seeds is affected by bin heating, often 
resulting in a complete failure to secure a stand and 
necessitating late and unseasonable re-planting. 

Failure to get satisfactory stands from early planting, 
as a result of all those conditions which affect vitality 
of the seed, has caused growers to plant at least ten days 
to two weeks later than would be required in the case of 
vigorous seed. Late planted and slow growing seed can- 
not take advantage of the usually favorable conditions 
of the early growing season. 

The failure to select the earliest maturing heads re- 
sults in the use of a greater number of growing days and 
later maturity of the crop. 

Other conditions which affect the usefulness of the 
crop are those which depreciate the market and feeding 
value of the grain as a result of the loss of the pure 
strains, the generally smaller tonnage and poorer quality 
of forage, and the inability to facilitate harvesting when 
the stalks grow at varying heights and the heads ripen 
at widely varying dates. 

So it may be said that the disappointing kafir yields 
are the result of careless handling of the seed and which 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 233 

is responsible for the yields throughout Kansas and Ok- 
lahoma having been reduced to one-third or one-half of 
what they should be, and even rendering kafir an im- 
possible crop in the drier sections and those of compara- 
tively short growing seasons. 

If the kafir crop is to be restored to its former useful- 
ness or to its highest degree of usefulness, the grower 
must be careful in the selection of mature seed heads of 
high-yielding type, must employ such methods as will 
keep the seed pure, and must store the seed in such man- 
ner as will maintain its vitality. These precautions, with 
better planting and cultural methods, will re-establish 
kafir to its former and proper place on sorghum belt 
farms. Every-year vigilance only will controvert de- 
generation in kafir or other crops. 

No Good Reason for Late Maturity. "There is no 
good reason why kafirs cannot be made to mature earlier 
than they do now, by paying careful attention to seed 
selection," writes Director Jardine of the Manhattan, 
Kansas, Agricultural Experiment Station. 

"The conclusion of this department is that if a reason- 
able amount of care is given to the selection of the seed 
for the kafir crop, practically no trouble need be feared 
as regards the time of maturing, or the grain yield of the 
crop," says A. H. Leidigh, assistant professor in crops at 
the same station. He continues: "In the extreme west- 
ern and northwestern parts of Kansas, constant care and 
attention will be required to keep the plant early enough 
to be sure of its maturing seed. This latter condition is 
comparable to the corn situation in the northern part of 
the corn belt, and I believe you realize that in the north- 
ern part of the corn belt they meet such a condition by 
the careful selection of early home-grown seed instead of 
by the renewal of seed. We have grown kafir at this sta- 
tion since the latter part of the 'eighties' and have not ex- 
perienced anything which indicates that our seed is run- 
ning out." 



234 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



Typical Low- Yielding Heads. The picture below is 
that of a low-yielding head of kafir, although it is 
a head much above the average of many fields. A 




Interior of Low-Yielding Kafir Head.— Note Short Main Stem and 
Light-Yielding Seed-Bearing Stems.— Such Heads Have Small 
Capacity for Bearing Seed.— Compare with Illustration, page 236. 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 235 

head of poorer conformation than this should not be 
saved for seed. This head is a mate to the three shown 
on page 226. These three heads should be compared with 
the four in the picture on page 184. These are all typical 
low-yielding heads and comparison with the dissected 
head will reveal why the seed from such should not be 
planted, provided it is possible to secure seed from heads 
of better form. 

The dissected head measured twelve inches from the 
tip to the first joint at the bottom, and weighed four 
ounces. The main or center stem was seven inches long, 
having six joints from which seed-bearing stems grew. 
The seed stems were five inches long at the tip. The 
greatest width was at the tip, where the head measured 
five inches. Note that the seed-bearing stems were of 
irregular length, unevenly seeded, and that the longest 
and heaviest seeded stems were those at the tip. Observe 
also that at the tip there was a cluster of seed stems 
which spread and gave the fan shape typical of mixed 
and low-yielding heads. The loose and open appearance 
of the head was due to the fact that near the center stem 
there were no seeds, thus accounting in part for the light 
weight of the head. Seed-bearing stems having seed only 
one-half their length, are comparable to the corn cob 
which is only half filled. 

A close examination of the illustration will result in 
obtaining a good idea of the low-yielding type of head, 
and the above points are mentioned only to call attention 
to the difference between this head and the high-yielding 
type elsewhere shown. It should be kept in mind that 
the dissected head is not an extreme example of low- 
yielding type. Every reader has seen fields in which the 
prevailing type of head was much less desirable than that 
shown, but this type is presented because it comes near 
being that of the average field. 

The three heads shown on page 226 were typical of a 
field which on upland in Shawnee County in 1913 yielded 
25 bushels of grain per acre, and were awarded first prize 



236 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPc 




Interior of High- Yielding Kafir Head. — Shows Large Seed-Bearing 

Capacity. 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 237 

at the Indian Creek, Shawnee County, Grange Fair, Octo- 
ber 2 and 3, 1913. This field of kaf ir matured a month in 
advance of killing frost. The grower has for years been 
selecting for early maturity and his success is amply 
demonstrated by the performance of the seed in a year 
like 1913, when most fields in that neighborhood were 
frosted in the bloom. This is a striking example of main- 
taining earliness by selecting early-maturing heads. 

Typical High-Yielding Heads. The picture on page 
236 shows the conformation of a high-yielding head of 
kafir. This head measured sixteen and one-half inches 
from tip to the first joint at the bottom. It weighed eight 
ounces when thoroughly dry and after losing consider- 
able of its seed as a result of many handlings. The main 
stem had nine joints from which fifty-two seed-bearing 
stems grew, and each stem was seeded almost its full 
length. In this head all of the available space for seed 
was occupied, resulting in a heavy, compact head. In 
every respect this head showed large capacity for carry- 
ing and producing seed and it would seem that a head of 
such conformation should prove a superior yielder. 

This head was one of the nine shown on page 248. These 
heads were grown in 1913 and showed the effects of dry 
weather in that the seed was small and many glumes 
were not filled. Undoubtedly, in a season of normal rain- 
fall they would have been better filled and consequently 
heavier. Each of the heads in this illustration has the 
same conformation as that of the dissected head and 
which conformation is common to all of the high-yielding 
heads illustrated in this book. 

I found this the prevailing type of head in every high- 
yielding field, and it is unquestionably the best type to 
select for better cropping results. At any rate it is the 
type of kafir head first grown in Kansas and which upon 
introduction gave better yields and greater crop assur- 
ance than has the seed planted in recent years from heads 
varying from this type. It is the type of head preserved 
by the occasional grower who reports the greatest satis- 



238 sorghums: sure money crops 

faction from the kafir crop. It is the type indicating 
the inherent hardiness necessary to withstand dry 
weather and if kept early-maturing will evade dry 
weather. 

High- Yielding Type Described. In March 1, 1913, 
issue of Kansas Farmer, was printed this description of 
the high-yielding head, written by H. M. Cottrell, who 
has given head type a thorough study: 

''The head should be three to four times as long as 
broad, cylindrical, only slightly pointed, but compact to 
the very point. The loose, sprangly head, and which 
gives low yields, is rarely ever longer than twice its ex- 
treme width, the top is open and fan-shaped and generally 
is wider than any other part of the head. 

''The main stem in the kafir head, corresponding to the 
cob in the corn ear, should be strong, straight and short- 
jointed and extend to within two or two and a half inches 
of the head tip. High-yielding heads will have six to ten 
joints and the seed-bearing stems will grow closely around 
the main stem from each joint. The more joints, the 
greater will be the number of seed-bearing stems and the 
greater the bearing ability of the head. In low-yielding 
heads the main stem does not exceed one-half the total 
length of the head and branches into long seed stems 
which spread and give the head its loose, open top and fan 
shape. The short stem can have comparatively few joints, 
usually not more than three or four, and the seed-bearing 
stems are correspondingly decreased. 

"The seed-bearing stems should grow close together, 
completely surrounding the main stem at each joint, and 
will, as a rule, be shorter than in the low-yielding or mon- 
grel head. The seed stems should be thickly set with 
seed from the tip close to the main stem. In the low- 
yielding head the seed stems are farther apart, fewer in 
number, long, and not seeded more than half their length, 
making the bushy, light head so common in kafir fields. 
Not infrequently fairly well-shaped kafir heads will pos- 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 239 

■sess some of these undesirable characteristics and for this 
reason the interior of the head should be examined. 

'The base of the head should be well set with seed 
stems, beginning at the first joint on the main stem. The 
seed stems should grow outward and upward from the 
main stem, should be well filled with seed and so make 
the butt of the head almost square and as broad as the 
head at its middle. In the case of the low-yielding head 
the butt is the narrow part of the head, the light seeding 
allowing the seed stems to grow upright. In the mongrel 
head the seed-bearing stems gradually grow longer as 
they approach the tip of the head and the longest seed 
stems are those of the tip. 

'The base of the head should be free from mildew, 
mold or discoloration, the seed should be mature and the 
quality otherwise as good as that found elsewhere on 
the head. 

"On the well-matured head grown in a season of normal 
rainfall the seed should be large and every glume or hull 
occupied by a seed. 

'The well-bred type of head above described with- 
stands the dry weather and other adversities and pro- 
duces the heaviest yield — because it is kafir of a pure 
strain. It is the type of head found in all high-yielding 
fields and for these reasons- — which are sufficient — the 
seed of such heads should be sought for planting," 

Farmers' Idea of Seed Head. J. J. Johnson, the 
Butler County kafir grower, summarizes briefly as fol- 
lows: 

"In selecting heads for seed I want a symmetrical, 
cylindrical head that bulges in the center; not spreading, 
but compact; not the unusually heavy head, but of me- 
dium weight and size, with full plump grains, and with 
a stem that's out of the boot." 

Score Card Value for Kafir Heads. For years a 
score card has been used in judging corn, but not until 
recently has one been designed for judging the heads of 
kafir. While the score card is most frequently used by 



240 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

the expert judge in passing upon the merits of competing 
samples in agricultural exhibits, nevertheless it has a 
practical value to the farmer. By comparing the speci- 
men in hand, with the card, he is able to know how near 
the head approaches the ideal sought and in what 
particular respect it is lacking. So it is worth while to 
know the requirements for kafir, and here is a card which 
was first printed by the Oklahoma Farm Journal: 

Score, 
Points 
Uniformity. — Heads should be uniform in shape, size 

and type 10 

Structure. — The center stem should be at least three- 
fourths as long as the head. Seed stem sections 
should occur at regular intervals — not less than five 
in number — even distribution, uniformity in length, 
and close setting of the joints on the seed stems 

being desirable 20 

Development. — Head must be pushed clear out of 

boot 5 

Color. — Large white grain with pink speck on tip . . . 5 
Size of Grain. — The larger the grain the better, if it 

does not shatter 10 

Market Condition. — Sound, firm and mature 10 

Length of Head. — Eleven to thirteen inches 10 

Circumference. — Seven to nine inches 5 

Base. — First seed stems not too long, thickly set and 
well filled close up to the main stem. An open base 

is undesirable 5 

Tip. — Not too tapering and well filled with sound and 
uniform kernels. Tip seed stems should not be more 

than one-fourth as long as the head 5 

Seed Stem Branches. — Well proportioned to length 
and size of head, no open spaces, each place for a 

seed being filled 10 

Shattering. — Should not shatter easily in handling. . 5 

Total score 100 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 241 

At '"Structure" in the score card it is stated that the 
center stem ''should be at least three-fourths as long as 
the head." This is intended, undoubtedly, as the min- 
imum requirement. I would urge the grower, in select- 
ing heads, to specially note the length of the center stem 
and select such heads as have the stem extending well 
toward the tip. A long, strong center stem is the most 
important indication of a high-yielding head. 

The "Color" requirement in the score card is for black- 
hulled kafir; this will vary, of course, with the variety 
of kafir grown, and the color of seed and glumes should 
conform to the description given on page 51. 

Size and Shape of Grain Sorghum Heads. "Each of 
the grain sorghums has a desirable standard size and 
shape," writes A. C. Hartenbower, of the Stillwater, 
Oklahoma, Agricultural Experiment Station, in the 
Breeders' Gazette. "The heads of the kafirs should be 
cylindrical and taper very slightly at base and tip. They 
should be about eleven inches in length and nearly eight 
inches in circumference at the center, Milo heads should 
be ovate, tapering very slightly at base and tip. The 
length should be about six inches and the circumference 
at center about seven inches. Feterita, or Sudan durra, 
should have cylindrical, strongly tapering heads at base 
and tip. The length should be about nine inches and the 
circumference at center about seven inches." 

Well-Bred Kafir Stalks. When selecting seed heads 
of kafir as much attention should be given to the type of 
stalk as to the type of head. The stalks of well-bred kafir 
might be called heavy set, bearing no suckers or side 
shoots, and of even height, producing heads uniform in 
shape and size. The joints should be short with a pair 
of large leaves growing from each. This type of stalk 
makes the most fodder or silage. It is the vigoron^,. 
hardy type which resists the winds and dry weather and! 
which gives the grower the most certain and greatest 
return, and, if possible, seed heads should be selected 
from stalks having these characteristics of good breeding. 



242 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

I have seen hundreds of fields in Kansas and Okla- 
homa in which not a single stalk of this type grew and 
from which fields not one desirable seed head could be 
obtained. See the illustration on page 158. It will prove 
a waste of time and energy to seek seed in such fields. 
Much better seed can easily be obtained elsewhere and 
by so doing several years can be saved in the grading up 
process. 

Selecting Seed Heads in the Field. On nearly every 
page in this book reference has been made to the desir- 
ability of early maturity in grain sorghums. If the ear- 
liest-maturing heads and those borne on the true type of 
stalk are to be obtained for seed, they must be selected in 
the field before any of the heads have fully matured. 
By the time the earliest heads can safely be gathered for 
seed, they will be indistinguishable from other heads 
maturing a week or ten days later. It is advisable to 
mark four or five times as many heads as may be needed 
for seed the following season. This, because in the field 
proper attention cannot be given to head characteristics 
and in the final selection many of those heads may be 
rejected. The marking is most conveniently done by 
tying a bit of bright-colored rag around the stalks just 
below the heads. This method of marking will attract 
attention to the heads when they are ready for gathering. 

Do not select heads from stalks growing in the outside 
rows or to themselves in the turning row. Such stalks 
have had more than their proportion of moisture and so 
have not grown under the more trying conditions of 
plants at regular intervals in the row. But if four or five 
stalks should be found growing closer together than usual 
and of these one or two have produced heads of proper 
type, these heads will be desirable seed. Such stalks 
show unusual vitality and ability to produce grain under 
unfavorable conditions. Do not select the largest heads 
of the field. These usually grow on the over-sized stalks. 
The large stalks use more water than the smaller stalks 
and economy in the use of the soil's moisture should be 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 243 

kept in mind. A good rule is to select the largest heads 
from the smallest or medium-sized stalks. Select only 
those heads which have exserted themselves from the 
boot. 

After the marked heads have fully matured they should 
be gathered. It is not a big job to ride a muzzled horse 
through the field, cut the heads off with a knife and place 
them in a sack fastened to the saddle. If the crop is to 
be harvested by hand soon after maturity and before the 
heads are exposed to wet or freezing weather, the selected 
heads may be gathered at the same time and placed in a 
box attached to the wagon. If it is worth while to plant 
good seed it is well worth the time necessary to properly 
gather it, and it is dangerous to delay until the crop is 
harvested. 

Final Selection of Seed Heads. The work of mak- 
ing the last critical examination to decide upon the best 
seed heads should be done under convenient circum- 
stances and at a time when it need not be hurried. It 
is now that the kafir grower will begin to learn things 
he has not dreamed. He will study shape, structure, and 
weight of head, and will observe the result of variation 
from the true type. He should have the score card before 
him and by his side the kitchen scales which will weigh 
accurately by ounces. An intelligent use of the scales 
will reveal surprises in weight of heads of different con- 
formation. 

For making this selection, a table of convenient size 
should be provided. Two boards, each a foot wide and 
twelve to sixteen feet long, placed across two barrels or 
boxes, answer the purpose well. Place 100 heads on 
nearest board and begin the final selection. Throw aside 
such heads as do not meet the standard in mind. Lay on 
the farther side of the table those that meet or come near 
meeting the standard; go over the first selection a sec- 
ond time, being more exacting in the requirements, and 
finally determining upon the heads the seed of which will 
be used for the following season's planting. 



244 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

Hold the selected seed in the heads until ready to plant. 
There is danger of damage to the seed if threshed and 
held even in small quantities. At planting time the 
weather is warm and conditions are extremely favorable 
to heating. This instance well illustrates the point: 

A farmer in Southern Kansas bought choice kafir seed 
and tested it just before planting. It germinated well. 
He planted part of a large field, when further planting 
was delayed on account of rain. He stored the unplanted 
seed in bags in his residence. In about a week the 
remainder of the field was planted. The seed planted 
before the rain gave a full stand, while that planted after 
the rain did not give one-fourth of a stand. Although 
kept in a dry room, it absorbed enough moisture to make 
it heat sufficiently to destroy its germinating powers. 

Care of Seed Heads. The heads selected for seed 
should be stored in a dry, ventilated place. Each indi- 
vidual head should be suspended with the tip hanging 
downward, and the heads should not be permitted to 
touch each other. Thorough drying is to be accomplished 
and molding and heating prevented. If the heads are 
tied in bunches of four or five or placed in sacks, there 
is danger of damage to the seed of that part of the head 
through which the air cannot circulate. If four or five 
times as many heads as are necessary for seed have been 
gathered, the job of properly storing is much greater 
than if the final selection is made immediately after 
gathering. Immediate final selection is to be recom- 
mended and it is the part of wisdom to save enough heads 
to replant or for use another year in case the seed planted 
is lost. 

It requires no more time to do a job in season than out 
of season, and when the importance of good seed is con- 
sidered it is apparent that time from other work can 
better be sacrificed than that necessary to properly 
select and store the seed upon which the next year's crop 
is dependent. 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 245 

Threshing Seed Heads. The removal of the seed 
from the heads selected for planting, should not be done 
by threshing machinery because of the possibility of mix- 
ing with seeds of other sorghums. The head may be 
rapidly and otherwise satisfactorily '"shelled" or threshed 
by beating against a board. The largest and best seed 
will fall off the head first. To completely shell the head 
will result in more or less small and inferior seed being 
planted. It has been suggested that the seed be removed 
by the use of a curry-comb, laying the head on a short 
board, the lower end of which rests in a wash tub or box, 
and scratching off about one-half the seed. 

Whatever the method of threshing, the seed should be 
fanned and the broken kernels and chaff removed. A 
good fanning mill is a handy and important farm imple- 
ment — not alone for cleaning the seed of kafir, but that 
of all other crops. Where no fanning mill is available, 
the seed may be cleaned by throwing it into the air and 
allowing the wind to blow out the lightest seeds and chaff. 

Testing for Germination. Before removing the 
seed from the selected heads, it is well to test for germi- 
nation. By this means those heads showing highest 
germination and greatest vitality can be used for seed. 
However, it has been my experience that the seed from 
well matured and well cared for heads will germinate 
almost perfectly and grow vigorously. If seed from the 
bin is to be planted, it should by all means be tested. 
Such a small percentage may grow or the germination 
be so weak, that it would be unfit for planting. At any 
rate, by knowing the per cent of germination the amount 
of seed to be planted per acre can be better determined. 

A Kansas Farmer subscriber writes : ''It is even more 
necessary to test kafir than corn, because much more 
kafir is spoiled in handling and there is also danger of 
heating that makes kafir unfit for planting." 

A convenient method of making the germination test 
is as follows: Place two or three thicknesses of muslin 
or other cloth in a dinner plate or pie pan. Place the 



246 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

seed thereon and cover with two or three more thick- 
nesses of cloth. Wet the seed and cloths with water not 
colder than that from a well or cistern. Cover the 
plate or pan containing the seed, with an inverted plate 
or pan, to prevent moisture evaporation. A plate or pie 
pan of ordinary size will accommodate three hundred 
seeds. 

If planting seed which has been stored in bags or 
bins, be sure that the seed tested represents an average 
condition of that which will be planted. This can be 
accomplished only by thorough mixing of the seed. For 
example, if the grower desires to plant two bushels of 
seed from a bin of 100 bushels, he should select the two 
bushels, place in a pile on a clean floor and mix thoroughly 
by shoveling. After this is done take from any part of 
the pile the quantity of seed to be tested and the results 
will prove a good index to the germination of the seed to 
be planted. If seed from individual heads is to be tested, 
then the seed of each head must be kept separate in order 
that the germination results may be identified with the 
head. In this event the seed must be placed on white 
cloth that it may be marked into squares, and each square 
numbered to correspond to the number placed on the 
head. Ten seeds taken from different parts of the head, 
will give a sufficiently accurate test. 

The seed should be kept sufficiently moist to grow, and 
in a place of even temperature — but not too warm ; fifty 
to fifty-five degrees is about right. This comparatively 
low growing temperature will better test the vigor of 
the seed than will a higher temperature. Kafir which 
shows good germination at these temperatures is likely 
to have the vitality to withstand early seasonal adversi- 
ties and can be planted earlier than seed which requires 
a higher temperature for germination. 

From the above suggested method many variations 
may be made. The instructions are intended only to in- 
dicate the principle. Several thicknesses of newspaper 
may be used instead of cloth. Bread pans or other shal- 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 247 

low pans may be used in the place of plates or pie pans. 
More than one layer of seed can be tested in the same 
receptacle by using more layers of cloth with seed be- 
tween them. Sawdust, dirt or sand should not be used 
for germinating seed unless a thickness of cloth or paper 
is placed between this and the seed so that the root 
growth may be observed. 

A germination test of any seed is interesting and in- 
structive. The variation in the germination will be sur- 
prising. Some seeds will grow large roots and compara- 
tively small sprouts, others large sprouts and small roots. 
Some seeds will grow much more rapidly than others. 

The Seed Plat. Recently a farmer who plants not 
less than two hundred acres of kafir each year, told me 
he desired to improve his kafir but that the selection of 
heads for planting his acreage was too big a job for him 
to personally undertake. 

For such growers the seed plat would prove the ideal 
means of securing better seed for field planting. This 
would involve the selection of enough choice heads to 
plant an acre, from which the best heads should be 
gathered for planting another seed plat the following 
year. The general run of heads from the seed plat may 
be used for field planting. By this method the seed can 
be greatly improved and the labor reduced to a minimum. 

The seed plat is also recommended to the small grower 
who can secure only a limited number of choice heads. 
The plat should be isolated from other fields of sorghums 
in order to prevent mixing by cross-fertilization. 

Performance of African Seed. Another most excel- 
lent example of the advantages of inherent early maturity 
and dry weather evasion and resistance, is given by the 
performance of seed imported from Africa and planted 
in Osage County, Kansas, in the spring of 1913. This 
seed matured grain in advance of frost, and while the 
yield was undoubtedly reduced because of dry weather, 
the 30 to 35 bushels of mature seed per acre, produced in 



248 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



a year of extreme growing adversity, renews hope in the 
future usefulness of kafir if its utility is maintained. 

The seed from Africa produced two types of heads — 
about 80 per cent like those shown in the illustration on 
this page, and 20 per cent like those shown in the illus- 
tration on page 188. The latter heads were extremely 
compact and the heads I gathered for photographing 




Kafir Heads Grown in 1913 from Seed Imported That Spring from 
Africa. — Each of These Heads Has the Interior Construction 
Shown on Page 230. 

were moldy in the center and a considerable proportion 
of the seed damaged. The heads of true kafir type had 
been exposed to the same rainfall but were in perfect 
condition. The heads shown on this page were gath- 
ered on August 15 and the seed was planted June 1, 
as represented by the grower, and which is evidence of 
the early maturity and hardiness of the imported seed. 
These heads conform to the structural characteristics 
of the high-yielding head shown in picture on page 236. 
It is unfortunate that the particular section of Africa 
from which this seed came is not known in order that 
the seasonal conditions might be ascertained. But it is 
certain that this seed was grown under and thoroughly 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 249 

acclimated to conditions at least as severe as those which 
prevailed in Osage County, Kansas, in 1913. The per- 
formance of this seed was such as should establish the 
adaptability of kafir to extreme conditions and the neces- 
sity for maintaining the inherent dry weather evasion 
and resistance of well-bred seed. 

The three heads in picture on page 188, were also from 
African seed planted in Southeastern Colorado in the 
spring of 1913. While these heads do not conform to 
the high yielding type of kafir, they possessed the hardi- 
ness necessary to make a crop without rain in measurable 
quantities during the growing season. The grower stated 
that three showers — not enough to lay the dust in the 
field — fell from the time of planting until after maturity. 

On the Importation of Seed. Immediately following 
an illustrated article in Kansas Farmer regarding the 
showing made by the seed imported into Osage County, 
Kansas, those interested in kafir improvement began 
inquiring about the advisability of the importation of 
seed in large quantities for distribution throughout 
Kansas. Many inquiries of such character were referred 
to me. I held that if imported seed could be obtained 
which would be as satisfactory in every respect as that 
obtained by the Osage City people, it would be a better 
foundation from which to develop an early-maturing, dry 
weather-resisting strain of good head type than the kafir 
now generally grown in Kansas. But there could be no 
guarantee of securing reasonably pure seed from a sec- 
tion of Africa having seasonal conditions similar to those 
prevailing here, except by personal familiarity with all 
conditions. To depend upon African exporters would 
most likely be disastrous. 

In the search for suitable feed, the Kansas Bankers' 
Association was offered kafir seed from East India. In- 
vestigation revealed that the section in which the offered 
seed was grown, has an average annual rainfall of 60 
inches and growing temperatures prevail throughout the 
year. The use of seed grown under such conditions would 



250 sorghums: sure money crops 

in all probability result in failure in Kansas, Oklahoma 
or Texas. So, aside from the purity of the seed, the 
conditions under which it is grown are important in es-^ 
timating the value of imported seed. Africa is a large 
country with widely varying climatic conditions and for- 
tunately the seed obtained for Osage County came from 
a section the seasonal conditions of which are similar to 
those which prevailed in Osage County in 1913. The 
success of future importations will depend upon securing 
seed of reasonable purity and which has been grown 
under conditions similar to those under which it will be 
grown in this country. Certainly the importation of 
seed without full knowledge of all the contingent con- 
ditions is not to be recommended. 

The seed of kafir now grown in this country was 
originally secured from South Africa by the Federal De- 
partment of Agriculture. The several strains were ac- 
climated and improved before being given to the farm- 
ing public. The experiment stations of the sorghum belt 
have perpetuated these strains and have sufficient seed 
of pure kafir to meet the requirements of the station 
farms. It is to be hoped that such stations may be in- 
terested in increasing the production of such seed to 
the point that kafir growers may obtain it for seeding 
small plats and in a few years have sufficient for general 
field planting. The stations of Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, 
Colorado and New Mexico, could do no more important 
work than distribute pure strains of the several grain 
sorghums in sufficient quantities to ultimately replace 
the low-yielding seed now generally prevailing. 

The wide awake farmer who will develop pure or near 
pure strains of good head type, can have a market for 
seed which will pay as well or better than any other crop 
he can grow. It would have required several thousand 
bushels of seed to supply those who made inquiry of 
me in the springs of 1913 and 1914 for the seed of high- 
yielding heads. Seedsmen supplying the grain sorghum 
belt can well afford to develop high grade seed of the 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 251 

several sorghums, thereby making good business for 
themselves and doing the sorghum belt farmer a real 
service. 

Choice Kafir Only Spring Crop. A Lincoln County, 
Kansas, subscriber writes: *'I greatly appreciated your 
kafir article in March, 1913 issue of Kansas Farmer. I 
make kafir my sole spring crop and have had most ex- 
cellent success. I hand pick the seed heads of heavy 
yielding and ideal type." This subscriber sold several 
hundred bushels of kafir seed in the head during the 
spring of 1913. 

Another Kansas Farmer subscriber wrote on March 
22, 1913 : "I would be willing to give one dollar, or even 
more, for ten or twelve pounds of seed in the head, of 
high-yielding kafir. I am desirous of starting on my 
farm, kafir that is pure and true to this type. I am 
anxious to find something in the line of kafir that does 
better than eighteen to twenty bushels to the acre." 

Conclusions Regarding Head Type. The conclusions 
regarding the high and low-yielding types of kafir heads 
were reached as a result of close examination of many 
fields. While I was seeking the cause of low yields in 
Kansas, H. M. Cottrell, John Fields and George Bishop 
were pursuing the same line of investigation in all sec- 
tions of Oklahoma. While my work was wholly independ- 
ent of theirs, a comparison of notes revealed a unanimity 
of opinion. So, what is written in this chapter on the rela- 
tion of type of kafir head to yield is the result of investi- 
gations throughout Kansas and Oklahoma and it is my 
conviction that the conclusions may be regarded as agree- 
ing with the facts. 

I feel supported in these conclusions by Carleton Ball, 
agronomist in charge of the grain sorghum investigations 
for the Federal Department of Agriculture, who, in a 
bulletin on ''Better Grain Sorghums," illustrates desir- 
able types of kafir and milo heads and which conform 
to those types here shown. He says that filling of these 
sorghum heads at the tips and butts is fully as impor- 



252 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



tant as the filling of the corn ear, and that ''less atten- 
tion has been given to this matter than it deserves." 
Thus he takes cognizance of head type and its relation 
to the yield. While Ball does not show the interior of 
the desirable heads illustrated by him, it is certain that 
the type of kafir and milo head he recommends for seed 
has the interior structure here shown. 






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On Left is Desirable Form of Milo Head and on Right Undesirable 
Form. — From U. S. Department of Agriculture Bulletin 448, 

In every field of high yields the high-yielding head is 
the prevailing type, and this is believed to be the true 
type of pure kafir. It is the type first grown in Kansas 
and that preserved by an occasional grower through all 
the years since its introduction. It is a type of head 
identical with 80 per cent of those produced in fields 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 253 

planted in Osage County, Kansas, in 1913, from seed 
imported in that year from Africa. 

The type of head has more far-reaching effect than the 
amount of seed it carries. Wherever the high-yielding 
type of head is found it possesses the hardiness neces- 
sary to withstand dry weather, and if kept of early ma- 
turity will evade dry weather. By planting seed from 
such heads the grower has greater crop assurance in 
addition to higher yield than if seed from the low-yielding 
heads is planted. There is a relation existing between 
the head type and crop assurance which is well worth 
observing. 

Milo and Feterita Head Type. Those general princi- 
ples of head construction which distinguish the head of 
pure and high-yielding kafir, seem to apply with equal 
significance to both milo and feterita. The similarity of 
interior head structure will be observed by comparing 
the illustrations on pages 236, 254, and 258. 

The milo heads illustrated on page 148 are typical 
heads of well-bred milo from early-maturing fields which 
yielded well under the seasonal adversities of 1913. In 
that year I failed to find an early-planted, well-cultivated 
field of improved and selected milo which did not pro- 
duce grain. The dissected head on page 254 measured 
eight inches in length and weighed six ounces. The seed 
was fully matured and every glume on the head filled. 
In handling, this and its companion heads held their seed 
remarkably well. 

The heads of feterita or Sudan durra shown on page 
260 are of the desirable type and are typical of the heav- 
iest heads in the highest-yielding fields I have seen. 
These heads were grown in 1913 in Cheyenne County, 
Kansas, and the yield was thirty bushels per acre. This 
field did not sucker badly and the heads shown are from 
main stems only. Those heads of feterita shown at the 
agricultural fairs in Kansas and Oklahoma in 1913 were 
widely varying in type — a thing quite generally noticed 
and commented upon by farmers. The fact is that much 




Interior of Dwarf Milo Head of Desirable Form. — Compare with 
Illustration on Page 236. 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 255 

feterita, so-called, is white durra, which has been grown 
off and on for years throughout the sorghum belt under 
the names of ^'Egyptian corn," **rice corn," and ''Jeru- 
salem corn." The seed of white durra is near white, with 
light-colored hulls, the heads are more slender and 
pointed at the tip and butt and not so bunchy as those 
of Sudan durra. The seed of Sudan durra or feterita is 
larger than that of white durra, is white with a slightly 
bluish tinge, and has dark brown hulls. The heads of 
white durra have a tendency to droop, while feterita has 
naturally erect heads. Thousands of bushels of the seed 
of white durra was sold as feterita in 1913. Remember- 
ing these differences and observing the type of feterita 
head here shown, the grower cannot be mistaken in dis- 
tinguishing white durra from feterita if he can see the 
seed in the head. 

The dissected feterita head shown on page 258 meas- 
ured seven inches in length and weighed three ounces. 
The picture shows that the specimen shattered badly in 
handling and the vacant glumes appearing in the illus- 
tration are from this cause. The head was completely 
filled with mature seed when harvested. In outward 
appearance and interior construction it was uniform 
with the ten heads shown on page 260. 

It should be observed that the heads of both milo and 
feterita have the same sturdy center stem found in well- 
bred kafir. The joints from which the seed-bearing 
stems grow are closer together than those of kafir and 
it will also be noted that an occasional seed stem grows 
between the joints. This latter characteristic seems to 
prevail quite generally in the heads of these two sor- 
ghums. The seed stems do not produce seed their full 
length as in the case of kafir, accounting in part for a 
shape of head differing from that of kafir. It should be 
noted, too, that the heads of well-bred milo and feterita 
are compact and heavily seeded, with no suggestion of 
the open, loose head of cane or broomcorn. 



256 sorghums: sure money crops 

Select Seed of Milo in the Field. Field selection is 
more important in the case of milo than in kafir, because 
the characteristics of improved milo have not yet been 
so firmly fixed as those of kafir, Milo has the same 
tendency to mix by cross-fertilization with other sor- 
ghums, as has kafir. ' In every field there are heads which 
mature one to two weeks earlier than others. Milo is 
also inclined to mature late unless its earliness is main- 
tained by planting the seed of early-maturing heads. It 
heats in the bin as readily as does kafir and the germina- 
tion of the seed is equally affected. Therefore, it will be 
seen that the same tendencies to degeneration and a 
diminishing usefulness of the crop, exist in milo as in 
kafir. The stalks of unimproved milo are varying in 
height, ranging from four to seven feet, the heads are 
pendent or "goose-necked," and the plant naturally stools- 
and branches prolificly. See page 161. 

There was a time when some value was placed on the 
sucker. This, because in favorable growing seasons the 
sucker would produce a head and it was believed the 
grain yield was thus increased. However, the sucker 
grows at varying heights, and the head is usually small 
and ripens later than the main head. The power to 
"produce several stalks from one seed" is no longer re- 
garded as an economy in grain sorghum production. 
Seed is plentiful and cheap and there is no advantage 
from this standpoint. On the other hand, the suckers 
make an additional and unknown draft on the soil mois- 
ture, using that which the main stalk frequently needs 
to mature seed, undoubtedly having much to do with 
delaying the maturity of the seed on the main stalk. In 
growing milo for grain, it may be said that suckering is 
a serious objection. For forage, when a heavy crop of 
leaves and stems is desired, suckering may be advan- 
tageous, but this can be most satisfactorily offset by 
thicker planting. Branching from the joints of the stalk 
is equally objectionable and for the same reasons. While 
suckering is a normal characteristic of some sorghums. 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 257 

branching seems more or less dependent upon weather 
conditions and is most noticeable in a year of abundant 
rainfall during the late growing season. 

The varying height of stalks and ''goose-necked" head 
are seriously objectionable from a harvesting standpoint. 
They make heading by machinery almost impossible and 
even hand-heading difficult. On account of these features 
harvesting with the corn binder is unsatisfactory, be- 
cause the crooked heads prevent the stalks from lying 
parallel in the bundle, and furthermore they make the 
top of the bundle larger than the butt and so it is impos- 
sible to build a shock which will protect the grain and 
forage from the weather. The crooked stem interferes 
with feeding the head whole and greatly interferes with 
grinding. 

These objectionable habits have to a great extent been 
overcome by the Federal Department of Agriculture in 
establishing several ''improved" milos. One of these is 
the common yellow milo which has been selected for uni- 
form height and without suckers or branches. This grows 
to a height of four to four and one-half feet at elevations 
of three to four thousand feet. The other is a dwarf milo 
growing three to three and one-half feet at the same 
altitudes. In these strains branching has been almost 
entirely overcome, stooling has been greatly checked and 
75 to 90 per cent of the heads are upright and the re- 
maining 10 to 25 per cent are not inclined more than 
thirty degrees, which is about one-sixth that of the 
pendent heads. The improved varieties, therefore, can be 
headed by machinery and even bound into well formed 
bundles. The accomplishments of the Federal Depart- 
ment of Agriculture in milo selection is a worthy example 
of the usefulness of that department in improving farm 
crops. 

Selection by the grower to further overcome these ob- 
jections and develop strains far removed from these 
natural tendencies, is desirable. Select erect, well filled, 
early-maturing milo heads of the type illustrated, from. 




Interior of Head 



of Feterita or Sudan Durra. — Compare With 
Illustration on Page 236. 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 259 

stalks of medium height and which have no suckers or 
branches. To be able to do this the grower must select 
them in the field. The yield and value of the milo crop 
largely depends upon the selection of good seed and such 
care until planting time as has been described for kafir. 

Field Selection of Feterita. In its habits of growth, 
feterita or Sudan durra is very similar to milo, although 
its heads are naturally erect. The stalks are slender and 
vary in height from four to seven feet, and under favor- 
able growing conditions the plant suckers and branches 
abundantly. Suckering or branching with feterita is 
largely dependent upon seasonal or soil conditions and 
in this respect it differs from milo. As evidence of the 
variability of feterita in that respect, some Kansas grow- 
ers in 1913 reported that the crop did not sucker or 
branch at all, others that it branched but did not sucker, 
and vice versa, while others reported that the crop both 
suckered and branched. 

These habits are more or less characteristic of milo 
and in the case of that crop have largely been eliminated 
by selection. This was regarded as necessary because 
of their disadvantages. If such habits are objectionable 
in milo they are also objectionable in feterita and conse- 
quently there are the same good reasons for eliminating 
them. To accomplish this, then, field selection of the 
seed head is necessary. 

The selection of feterita seed heads should be made so 
soon as the first heads mature. This is to maintain its 
present early maturity and so continue dry weather 
evasion. The seed heads should be taken only from the 
main stalk. Select heads from erect stalks which have 
no branches or suckers, or from stalks which have the 
smallest number of each. Select heads which are well 
filled at the tip and butt and which in outward appear- 
ance and interior construction conform to the heads here 
illustrated. The same precaution should be taken to pre- 
vent mixing with other sorghums as in the case of kafir 
or milo. 



260 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

^ Field Selection of Cane Seed. It should be remem- 
bered that field selection of cane, when grown either for 
seed for market or for forage, is fully as essential for 
the most satisfactory crops as is such selection of the 
grain sorghums. The selection and care of cane seed is 
identical with that already recommended for the other 
sorghums. The advantages of pure strains of cane are 
given on page 159. 




Heads of Feterita or Sudan Durra. — More Desirable Than Heads 
More Pointed at Tip and Butt. — Each Has Interior Shown 
on Page 258. 

Percentage of Grain to Total Crop. As would be ex- 
pected in grain sorghums, the percentage of grain to total 
crop will vary with the season in which the crop is grown 
and with the stand. Investigation at the Texas forage 
crops stations indicates that under ordinary field condi- 
tions milo will produce 35 to 40 per cent of grain to total 
weight. Black-hulled kafir averages about 25 per cent; 
the lower percentage in kafir is due to the heavier stalk 
and the greater number of leaves as compared with milo. 
A plat of feterita at the Chillicothe, Texas, station in 
1912, yielded 35 per cent of grain. The heads of milo, 
feterita and kafir will thresh out about the same per- 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 261 

centage of grain, which will range from 75 to 80 per cent 
of the total weight. In seasons of dry weather or other 
unfavorable conditions for grain yield, the percentages 
may fall to one-half or less of the above averages. 

Home-Grown Acclimated Seed. It should always be 
kept in mind that home-grown, acclimated seed will give 
the best cropping results. Select home-grown seed of 
sorghums whenever this is possible. Reference to the 
map on page 146 will reveal the variation in annual pre- 
cipitation and length of growing season throughout the 
sorghum belt. Elsewhere it is shown in detail why it is 
unwise to move seed from the area of 200 days of grow- 
ing season in Texas or Oklahoma to Northwest Kansas 
where the growing season is 140 days. Neither would it 
be an act of wisdom to move seed from Southeast Kansas 
— where the annual precipitation is 45 inches and the 
growing season 190 days — to Southwest Kansas where 
the annual precipitation is less than 20 inches, even 
though the growing season is only 10 to 20 days shorter. 

In every comparison of seed value, acclimated seed has 
given the greatest crop assurance and the best yields. 
If it is necessary to import seed of sorghums it should 
be obtained from a section of shorter growing season and 
of less precipitation than that in which it is to be grown. 
Secure the best obtainable seed near home for the general 
crop. If such seed is not satisfactory as a basis for im- 
provement through selection, and it is necessary to im- 
port seed grown under climatic conditions widely vary- 
ing from those in which it is to be planted, then obtain 
only sufficient for planting a seed plat of an acre or two 
and thus acclimate and produce the seed necessary for 
field planting two or three seasons hence. 

Is It "Too Much Trouble"? I have heard time and 
again that ''it is too much trouble'' to select the seed of 
field crops in the field, properly store the seed during 
the winter and test in the spring for germination. 
But the farmer's principal business is that of growing 
crops for market or for maintaining and fattening his 



262 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

live stock. His success as a farmer is dependent upon 
what he can produce in the way of crops from his fields. 
Then, what is more important than good seed? Many 
good farmers have found that good seed not only gives 
the highest yields but the greatest crop assurance. Here- 
in is printed the evidence from many farmers, showing 
that seed selection has paid them. It is altogether prob- 
able that it will pay other farmers as well. 

I am confident that a half day spent in selecting and 
marking seed heads of kafir, milo or feterita, another 
half day spent in gathering the heads, and a day, if neces- 
sary, expended in making the final selection and string- 
ing the heads for winter storage, will be all the time 
needed to carefully select all the seed the quarter sec- 
tion farmer will need for his own use and a small in- 
crease in bushel yield will pay big returns on this ex- 
penditure of labor. The sorghum belt needs surer crops. 
The grain sorghums are the most certain now known. 
They should be maintained and in fact improved to the 
highest degree of usefulness and dependability. 

Feterita Recent Importation. Feterita or Sudan 
durra is the most recent importation of useful grain sor- 
ghums. It has been tested by the Federal Department 
of Agriculture at its Texas forage crops stations for a 
period of only six years, and at which stations its yield 
has not exceeded that of other grain sorghums. For 
three years only has it been grown on any considerable 
acreage by the farmers of Texas and Southern Oklahoma, 
and in Kansas only on a small acreage during 1913. In 
1911 in Northern Texas it gave good grain yields when 
kafir and milo both failed, and in 1913 in Kansas it gave 
satisfactory yields on farms on which kafir and milo 
failed to produce grain. However, in every section of 
Kansas there were satisfactory yields of both milo and 
kafir, while generally both were failures. This condi- 
tion will always prevail — just as in the best corn year 
there are some failures — not due to the inadaptability of 
corn to the section, but to other reasons. 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 263 

Promising Sorghum for Dry-Farmer. The perform- 
ance of feterita during the past three or four years in 
the southwest section of the sorghum belt, and its 1913 
performance farther north and east, has created unusual 
interest in the crop. It has already been stated that 
those who have carefully investigated the merits of 
feterita believe that its greatest usefulness will be con- 
fined to the areas of short growing season and about 
16 inches or less of annual precipitation. This, on ac- 
count of its early maturity and low moisture require- 
ment — two essentials in such areas. In sections of 
greater precipitation its growing habits have a tendency 
to reduce its usefulness — principally through its sucker- 
ing and branching, uneven ripening, falling and lodging, 
causing difficult harvesting and loss of grain. In other 
words, its habits are such as make it better adapted to 
the drier sections of the sorghum belt in which sections 
its objectionable features are minimized. 

J udging from what I am able to learn regarding feter- 
ita and what I know of dwarf kafir and milo — the latter 
grown from pure, early-maturing strains and under such 
methods of cultivation as are essential in crop produc- 
tion — I believe that as the principal grain feed crop the 
usefulness of feterita will not be permanent east of the 
100th meridian. West of that meridian and extending- 
to the Rocky Mountains, in all probability it will be- 
come an important — if not the principal — sorghum grain 
crop. I am inclined to think that the area between the 
98th and 100th meridians will be the eastern limit of 
feterita as a spring planted crop. As a secondary or 
catch crop, it will prove valuable on farms east of this 
limit and the Eastern Kansas and Eastern Oklahoma 
farmer who can follow early harvested crops with 
feterita will find it an important addition to his present 
short list of supplemental grain feed crops. It will prove 
valuable, too, when planted following loss of corn or 
kafir from bugs or other cause. Its early maturity will 




Typical Feterita Plant. — These Stalks From One Seed. — Spread 
Was Near Four Feet Before Tying Together for Photographing. 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 265 

also make it useful as an early grain feed for horses and 
hogs. 

The value of feterita or any other crop cannot be es- 
tablished in a single year, especially when the seasonal 
conditions of that year are so extremely varying from 
the average or normal, as was the case in 1913. How- 
ever, the disposition to give feterita a thorough trial is 
to be commended, but the reckless desertion of estab- 
lished crops for the new and untried, is to be discouraged. 

Habits of Growth and Cultivation. The growing 
habits of feterita are described above in connection with 
the selection of the seed, and what is said regarding 
suckering and branching as applying to milo, is also true 
of feterita. It is a week earlier than pure dwarf milo 
and two or three weeks earlier than pure black-hulled 
kafir. In the sections of longer growing seasons and 
abundant rainfall the early planted crop will frequently 
mature and permit of head harvesting at a date which 
will permit the second crop of heads, but this is purely 
incidental. One crop of grain a year from one planting, 
will prove quite generally satisfactory. 

The preparation of the ground, planting, cultivation, 
and harvesting of feterita is identical with that of other 
grain sorghums, except that the planting date should be 
somewhat later. Growers complain regarding poor 
stands of feterita, and these are probably largely due to 
early planting, provided, of course, the seed planted is 
mature and its germination not injured from heating or 
other causes. Such ordinary handling as is given the 
seed of kafir will seriously affect the germination of 
feterita. However, in dry seasons, thin stands prove the 
saving grace in the case of all farm crops. 

Feterita at Hays, Kansas, Station. In 1911 feterita 
was planted at the Hays, Kansas, Agricultural Experi- 
ment Station. The following is reproduced from an 
article by Station Superintendent Helder, printed in 
Kansas Farmer in November 1913 : 

In 1911 the forage grew to a height of six feet, ma- 



266 SORGHUMS: sure money crops 

turing grain heads much earlier than other sorghums, 
the resulting yield being 16 bushels per acre. In 1912 
feterita produced not to exceed 12 bushels of grain per 
acre with less forage growth than the previous year. Six 
acres were planted in 1913 on better land than that on 
which the former crop grew. With scarcely any mea- 
surable rainfall from the time it was planted until the 
forage began to dry up in September, the crop produced 
18 bushels of grain per acre. After the grain was har- 
vested the forage was placed in the silo. 

Each plant of feterita will develop from four to eight 
seed heads which mature at different stages, making a 
complete harvest of the grain rather a protracted job. 
The grain has a great attraction for birds and owing to 
its softness they readily damage the heads during the 
different stages of growth. 

Comparisons of feterita with other sorghums lead to 
the conclusion that it is not as desirable for roughage 
as is kafir or some varieties of saccharine sorghums. 
The forage is quite similar to milo but the stalks are 
taller than dwarf milo. 

It is the opinion of the experiment station authorities 
thus far, that where kafir can be profitably grown it is 
preferable to feterita. The early-maturing ability of the 
latter should prompt its production in regions where the 
high altitude or light rainfall precludes the possibility of 
successful kafir production. The extreme western and 
northwestern counties of Kansas might profit by more 
attention to feterita and milo in the event kafir has not 
been found generally satisfactory. 

The rainfall at the Hays station during April to 
August inclusive, has been: In 1911, 10.46 inches; 1912, 
13.06 inches; 1913, 12.77 inches. 

Federal Department of Agriculture on Feterita. 
For six years the Federal Department of Agriculture has 
tested feterita at its forage crops stations at Chillicothe 
and Amarillo, Texas. At the former station the annual 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 267 

precipitation is 23 inches and at the latter 21 inches. Of 
these tests the department says: 

'There is no satisfactory evidence that feterita is in- 
herently more drouth-resistant than other grain sor- 
ghums. * * * j^ often happens that thin stands of 
feterita are caused by failure of seed to germinate, es« 
pecially if planted while the ground is cold. Further- 
more, the larger seed of feterita would give thinner 
stands if planted at the same rate as milo or kafir. At 
Amarillo, where feterita was grown under identical con- 
ditions as to stand, it showed no greater drouth resis- 
tance than milo or kafir. 

'^Experiments so far indicate that its earliness, its 
rather low water requirements, its satisfactory yields and 
the ease with which it may be harvested, give it a real 
place among the sorghums, either for grain or combined 
grain and forage purposes. No farmer should discard 
dwarf milo or dwarf kafir for feterita, however, until 
he has determined with certainty that on his farm it will 
outyield these staple crops when grown under identical 
conditions. The data at hand are limited, but they do 
not justify the claim that feterita will outyield dwarf 
milo." 

The bushel yields per acre of feterita and dwarf milo 
at Amarillo for 1908-1912, inclusive, are given below. 
The rainfall, in inches, is for the period April to August 
inclusive : 

Feterita Dwarf Milo Rainfall 

1908 40.2 41.3 15.33 

1909 9.3 11.0 10.80 

1910 14.7 19.0 10.00 

1911 34.2 37.6 15.66 

1912 22.9 22.6 8.45 

1913 No Grain No Grain 7.90 

Total 121.3 Bu. 131.5 Bu. 

Oklahoma Stations Report on Feterita. The Still- 
water, Oklahoma, Agricultural Experiment Station and 



268 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

sub-stations have been growing feterita several years. 
Summing up the observations made from all sources, the 
Stillwater station published this statement: 

"In its present stage of improvement, feterita would 
not seem as desirable a grain crop as kafir or milo for 
most sections of Oklahoma. The fact that it stools badly 
and that it lodges easily and quickly after maturity seri- 
ously affects its value as a grain crop. For hogging 
down or for silage it would seem to rank high and even 
as good if not better than kafir or milo. In view of the 
limited information that we have we feel justified in 
recommending feterita only for the extreme northwest- 
ern parts of the state, or those sections where kafir can- 
not be grown successfully. It is our conclusion that even 
though feterita does produce a somewhat higher yield of 
grain than kafir, still its tendency to sucker and lodge 
makes it a less desirable crop for the general farmer 
whose principal aim is grain production." 

Sorghums in Oklahoma Panhandle. The yields of 
grain and forage per acre of dwarf black-hulled kafir, 
dwarf milo and feterita for the years 1912 and 1913 at 
the Panhandle State School of Agriculture, Goodwell, 
Oklahoma, are here given: In 1912, kafir yielded 56 
bushels of grain and 10 tons of forage; milo 72 bushels 
and 5 tons; feterita 48 bushels and 4^ tons. In 1913, 
kafir yielded 32 bushels and 10 tons ; milo 28 bushels and 
4 tons ; feterita 18 bushels and 2 tons. The 1912 rainfall 
at Goodwell was 22 inches, while the normal rainfall is 
17. Kafir required 85 to 86 days to mature; milo 80 to 
82, and feterita 80 to 85 days. 

"Feterita will be a valuable crop for the Panhandle 
farmer," says President Black of the School of Agricul- 
ture. "I do not believe it should be planted to the exclu- 
sion of milo and kafir. It is a strong grower and will 
mature well within the 90-day limit. The grain is soft 
and starchy and will rot if planted when the ground is 
cold and wet. Feterita may be cut and fed green to cat- 
tle, hogs and horses when pastures get dry in the fall. 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 269 

I believe the Panhandle farmer should not plant to exceed 
20 acres of feterita on a 160-acre farm. But if it is de- 
sired to fill the silo with an early crop a larger acreage 
may be planted." 

Sorghums in New Mexico. At the Tucumcari, New 
Mexico, Agricultural Experiment Station, with two and 
one-half inches of rainfall badly distributed through the 
growing season, feterita yielded 15.8 bushels of grain 
per acre and 2,175 pounds of forage; dwarf yellow milo 
yielded 13.3 bushels and 2,190 pounds of forage; standard 
yellow milo yielded 5.8 bushels and 1,172 pounds of for- 
age; and kafir yielded 4.3 bushels and 2,027 pounds of 
forage. The feterita was planted May 28 on land plowed 
four inches deep, but owing to a poor stand was re- 
planted June 9 in rows 3 feet 8 inches apart and thinned 
to 10 inches in the row. Tucumcari has an annual pre- 
cipitation of 17 inches. 

Professor Mundell who has conducted the grain sor- 
ghum tests at that station, believes that feterita is of 
great importance for the dry land farmer. He says that 
a good yield of grain and fodder or silage can be counted 
on every year if the ground is properly prepared in the 
fall or winter and if the crop receives proper cultivation. 
He ranks the three important grain sorghums as follows : 
Dwarf yellow milo for grain ; black-hulled kafir for fod- 
der or silage ; feterita for either grain or fodder or both. 

Feterita in Wilson County, Kansas. Here is the 
view of H. M. Hill of Wilson County, Kansas, and which 
section has 35 to 40 inches of annual precipitation and 
a growing season of 190 days. He emphasizes the use 
of feterita as a catch crop following oats or other early 
harvested crops: 

'*In 1913 I planted one small field of feterita on June 
28 after a crop of rye had been taken off the land. We 
had half an inch of rain on July 10, which was all until 
this crop was made. The crop was matured September 
15 and all the kafir in this section was killed by frost 
before it had matured. This feterita made 55 bushels to 



270 sorghums: sure money crops 

the acre. I put most of this crop in the silo and it made 
excellent silage. 

''I am convinced of two important precautions which 
should be heeded by growers of feterita: (1) do not 
plant too early, and (2) do not plant too deep." 

"Hog-Down" Feterita. George Bishop of Washita 
County, Oklahoma, is in the area of 20 to 30 inches of 
annual precipitation and a growing season of 200 days 
and has grown feterita three years. He says: 

"It is earlier than milo and its erect head makes it 
much easier to head by hand. It is as chinch bug-resist- 
ant as kafir, but will fall down as quick after maturity 
as milo. It will shatter badly if left long in the field 
after maturity. Its large grain and its early maturity 
make it a fine crop for early grain feed for hogs. Grow 
it and hog it down and you have it used for the best pur- 
pose I know. For a general grain feed crop it can- 
not take the place of black-hulled kafir or dwarf milo." 

Kaoliangs New Grain Sorghum. A group of grain 
sorghums known as the kaoliangs, has within the past 
few years been introduced into the sorghum belt. This 
group is composed of a large assortment of early, late, 
dwarf, tall and otherwise widely differing varieties. 
Their place in sorghum belt agriculture has not yet been 
determined. The following paragraphs are taken from 
Bulletin 253 of the U. S. Department of Agriculture: 

'They are of almost no value as forage owing to the 
dry stem and the few and small leaves. They are not 
likely to displace any of the leading groups of grain sor- 
ghums such as the milos, durras and kafirs now grown 
in this country. At the same time, on account of their 
earliness and perhaps greater hardiness, also, they have 
apparently a distinct place of their own to fill in the 
more northern and more elevated parts of the dry-farm 
areas." 

''Owing to their low water requirements and tendency 
to produce but one stalk from a seed, it has been possible 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 271 

to mature good crops of kaoliangs in dry years where 
milo largely failed. If moisture is comparatively abun- 
dant in the early part of the growing period, milo is likely 
to put forth so many suckers as to seriously handicap 
the crop when dry weather sets in. The kaoliangs are 
less prolific in this regard and can therefore endure 
drouth more successfully. This fact gives value to the 
kaoliangs in the drier part of the Central Plains area. 
The kaoliangs seem also to be less susceptible to chinch 
bug injury than milos, though more so than the kafirs. 

**At the forage crops station at Amarillo, Texas, one 
variety — Manchu brown — matured in 85 to 105 days in 
the years 1908 to 1911 inclusive, and the average yield 
per acre for these years was 17 bushels." 

Sorghums and Chinch Bugs. There are no known 
sorghums proof against chinch bugs. All are affected 
more or less according to the varying juiciness of the 
stalk at the time of the attack. However, all sorghums 
have greater resisting and greater recuperative powers 
than has corn at corresponding stages of growth. An 
attack of chinch bugs that would totally destroy a crop 
of corn, might not destroy a crop of kafir, milo, feterita, 
or cane. 

Sorghum Blight is Midge. The so-called blight of 
grain-producing sorghums is the work of the sorghum 
midge, an insect which lays its eggs inside the hull of 
the undeveloped seed at flowering time or soon after. 
The midge passes through all stages of its growth in 
fourteen to twenty days. This insect is more common 
in the southern section of the sorghum belt, although it 
has found its way as far north as Central Kansas. Its 
ravages are overcome by early or very late planting. In 
the San Antonio, Texas, region early varieties of sor- 
ghums planted March 15, made good yields. Plantings 
two w^eeks later made no grain. 

Sorghum Smuts. The decreasing yields of kafir and 
€ane the past few years have been largely due to in- 
creasing damage by grain and head smut. The first 



272 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

attacks the kernels, and the second affects the entire- 
head. It is believed that the normal loss in yield 
from these smuts is not less than 10 per cent of the grain 
crop. 

The loss from grain smut can be almost wholly pre- 
vented by treating the seed with a solution of formalin 
consisting of one pound of 40 per cent commercial 
formalin to 30 gallons of water. The formalin is put 
up in pound bottles and costs from 50 to 75 cents per 
bottle. Put the seed to be planted, in a loose burlap bag 
and hang in the solution for one hour. Spread the seed 
on a clean floor which is free from smut, and shovel over 
and over until dry. The 30 gallons of solution will be 
sufficient for treating six bushels of seed, making the cost 
per bushel from 8 to 12 cents. 

The treated seed should not be stored in bins or in 
bags infected with smut. It is also a good plan to wash 
the drill or planter box with the solution. It is well 
enough to test the seed after treatment to know that 
germination has not been affected. 

It is a popular belief that head smut may be prevented 
by the same treatment. This belief is without founda- 
tion. If head smut is present in the field no seed should 
be saved from that field. The head smut resembles the 
smut of corn. It affects the entire head and is recognized 
by the irregular smut mass formed. 

It is believed that no injury to live stock attends the 
feeding of smut-affected sorghums. 

The head smut as above described, has never been 
found in milo. 

The Army Worm. Some seasons considerable dam- 
age is done all grain sorghums by the fall army worm. 
The presence of this worm is indicated by drooping 
heads, being the result of the work of the worm in the 
stem just below the head and which weakened stem 
breaks off. 



BETTER GRAIN SORGHUM CROPS 273 

The Kafir Ant. Throughout the kafir-growing sec- 
tion the past few years a species of ant has been destruc- 
tive to the seed of planted kafir. In the spring of 1912, 
J. W. McColloch of the entomological department of the 
Manhattan, Kansas, Agricultural Experiment Station, 
found that dipping the seed in commercial crude car- 
bolic acid protected 90 per cent from the ravages of the 
ant. The ant ceases working when the seeds have ger- 
minated. 

The seed must not be soaked or permitted to absorb 
more acid than will result following rapid dipping and 
immediate and thorough drainage. Put the seed to be 
treated in a small bag and place this in a pail containing 
the acid. The seed should be stirred so that all will be 
coated on the outside but not absorb an excess of acid. 
Another method of application is that of placing a small 
quantity of seed in a shallow pan, pouring the acid over 
same and stirring. Following either method the seed 
should be so handled as will permit thorough draining. 
Growers who have successfully treated the seed of kafir 
in this manner, do the work in the field, treating only 
sufficient seed to fill the planter-box once ; when this has 
been planted, another lot is treated. 

The kafir ant works on corn also. The corn kernel is 
soft about the germ and this portion absorbs the acid so 
rapidly that there is great danger in applying it. The 
ant also works on the planted seed of other sorghums. 

George A. Dean, entomologist of the Manhattan, Kan- 
sas, Agricultural Experiment Station, to whom I referred 
the matter of crude carbolic acid as a protector of milo, 
feterita and cane against ants, recommends that because 
of the soft seed the dipping be done quickly, the seed 
thoroughly drained and the treatment given the seed in 
small quantities and immediately in advance of planting. 



FEEDING GRAIN SORGHUMS 

While the grower of grain sorghums will be able to 
sell the grain of these crops at a price per bushel equal to 
the value of their feeding equivalent in corn, the greater 
profit will come through the feeding of both grain and 
forage. If the grain of the sorghums is marketed it must 
be sold at a price that will allow the buyer to feed it at 
a profit after it has passed through several hands and 
each has had his share. The selling of grain and stock 
from western farms is a practice which has lost its fol- 
lowers much of the prosperity to which they are entitled. 
It would seem that the sorghum belt farmer who grows 
both feed and live stock could bring the two together at 
a profit to himself. The possibilities for development of 
the sorghum belt through grain sorghums and live stock, 
and the reason this combination is regarded as necessary 
for that development, are discussed in another chapter. 

Except in the case of experienced feeders, the grain 
sorghums have not in the past been regarded as the best 
feed — at any rate the average farm feeder has not been 
able to get the best results from feeding them. The pro- 
fessional feeder has better understood feeding methods 
than has the farm feeder, the latter having employed 
feeding methods which have not combined, in proper pro- 
portions, the feeding constituents necessary to grow and 
finish the animal profitably. It may be safely said that 
the average sorghum belt farmer has been able to make 
animals grow or fatten and cows give milk, only during 
the pasture season, and so has kept animals six or seven 
months of the year without profit on the feed consumed 
and the care given. In the past, the average winter feed- 
ing in the sorghum belt has been a matter of merely 
maintaining the animal — keeping body and soul together 
— instead of actually converting feed into animal growth, 

274 



FEEDING GRAIN SORGHUMS 275 

flesh and milk, and through which latter operation only 
can a profit be realized on feed and labor. The object 
of this chapter is to briefly point to a better understand- 
ing of those methods necessary to the more profitable 
feeding of the animals of the sorghum belt farm. 

Elements of Feed and Function of Each. All feeds 
are composed of the same elements but in varying pro- 
portions. Every useful grain and forage plant has the 
constituents essential in the development of the animal 
body, but rarely in the proper proportions. The neces- 
sity for a proper combination of the constituents of feed 
can be better understood when the function of each con- 
stituent is known. 

Dry matter is that portion of roughages and grains 
which remains after all moisture has been driven off by 
heat. 

Protein is that element which enters into the composi- 
tion of the muscles, tendons, hide, hair, horns, blood, all 
internal organs, and the casein or cheesy part of milk. 
Protein is absolutely indispensable in the formation of 
these. No other element of feed can take its place. 

Carbohydrates supply heat and energy and produce 
fat. These constituents abound in the grain and forage 
of sorghums and corn. 

Fat is closely related to carbohydrates in that it pro- 
duces heat, energy and fat. 

Ash is also an important constituent but this is found 
in all farm rations in sufficient quantity to supply the 
animal's requirements for mineral matter. However, it 
is the high lime content of alfalfa and other leguminous 
hays, as well as the high protein content, that makes 
them superior in promoting growth. 

Regarding Rations. The term "ration" is used in 
connection with the feeding of live stock as meaning the 
amount of feed given the animal during a 24-hour period. 

A ''balanced ration" is a combination of feeds supply- 
ing protein, carbohydrates and fat in such proportions 



276 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

as are required to meet the needs of the animal for a 24- 
hour period. 

A ''maintenance ration" signifies the amount of feed 
required to supply the nutrients necessary to maintaiiL 
an animal without loss or gain in weight. 

Digestible Nutrients in Grains and Roughages. 
It should be understood that the constituents of feeds are 
not wholly digestible, so the feeding value of grains and 
roughages is dependent upon that part of their constitu- 
ents which is digestible and which can be taken into the 
animal system. The table below shows the pounds of 
dry matter and digestible nutrients in 100 pounds of 
the feeds named. A study of the table will reveal the 
relative value of the several feeds from the standpoint of 
composition and will assist the reader in determining 
upon the combination of grains and roughages needed to 
make a balanced ration for all classes of live stock. 

Dry Carbo- 

Name of Feed Matter Protein hydrates Fat 

Green Forages : 

Pasture grass 20. 2.5 10.2 0.5 

Corn 20.7 1.0 11.6 0.4 

Cane 20.6 0.6 12.2 0.4 

Corn silage, well eared 26.4 1.3 14.0 0.7 

Corn silage, without ears. . 26.3 1.1 14.9 0.7 

Cane silage 23.9 0.6 14.9 0.2 

Dry Roughages: 

Corn fodder, husked 57.8 2.0 33.2 0.6 

Cane hay 59.7 2.4 40.6 1.2 

Alfalfa 91.6 11.0 39.6 1.2 

Red clover 84.7 6.8 35.8 1.7 

Sweet clover 90.8 10.0 37.0 1.5 

Barley hay 85.2 6.2 46.6 1.5 

Oat hay 91.1 4.3 46.4 1.5 

Prairie hay 87.5 3.5 41.8 1.4 

Cowpea hay 89.3 10.8 38.6 1.1 

Millet 92.3 4.5 51.7 1.3 

Soy beans 88.2 10.6 40.9 1.2 



feeding grain sorghums 277 

Dry Carbo- 

Name of Feed Matter Protein hydrates Fat 

Spanish peanut vines* .... 10. 42. 3.6 
Spanish peanuts, whole 

plant* 18.4 40.1 21.5 

Cottonseed hulls 88.9 .3 33.1 1.7 

Grains and By-Products: 

Corn meal 89.1 7.9 66.7 4.3 

Corn and cob meal 89. 6.4 63. 3.5 

Kafir meal 84.8 7.8 57.1 2.7 

Kafir head meal 86.4 4.2 42.4 1.2 

Cane seed meal 87.2 4.5 61.1 2.8 

Milo meal 91. 4.9 44.8 1.3 

Milo head meal 90.3 4.2 45. 1.1 

Broomcorn seed meal 87.2 4.6 42.2 1.5 

Oats '89. 9.2 47.3 4.2 

Barley 89.1 8.9 64.8 1.6 

Rye 88.4 9.9 67.6 1.1 

Wheat 89.5 10.2 69.2 1.7 

Cowpeas 85.2 18.3 54.2 1.1 

Soy beans 29.1 23.3 14.6 

Spanish peanut kernels* . . 26.6 16.7 42.0 

Wheat bran 88.1 12.6 38.6 3.0 

Cottonseed meal 91.8 37.2 16.9 8.4 

Linseed meal 89.9 28.2 40.1 2.8 

* — Composition and not digestible nutrients. 

Required Nutrients for Various Animals. The com- 
parative amounts of dry matter and digestible nutrients 
required per day per 1,000 pounds of live weight, by sev- 
eral classes of farm animals, is shown in the table below 
and which presents the standards determined by Dr. C. 
Lehmann of the Berlin Agricultural High School, and 
while such requirements are not now regarded as ac- 
curate, they will prove a satisfactory guide for all prac- 
tical purposes. By using these amounts and by referring 
to the table showing the digestible nutrients of the sev- 
eral roughages and grains, the reader can determine upon 



278 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

a combination which will supply digestible nutrients in 

the amounts and proportions required. 

Animal — Average Dry Carbo- 

LivE Weight Matter Protein hydrates Fat 

Growing, beef cattle, 500 

pounds 25 2.5 13.2 0.7 

Growing, dairy cattle, 

500 pounds 27 2.0 12.5 0.5 

Growing swine, 120 

pounds 32 3.7 21.3 0.4 

Growing, fattening swine, 

100 pounds 35 5.0 23.0 0.8 

Growing, breeding swine, 

120 pounds 32 3.7 21.3 0.4 

Milk cows, 22 pounds 

milk daily 29 2.5 13.0 0.5 

Horses, medium, work. . . 26 2.5 13.3 0.8 

The foregoing is designed only to give the reader an 
understanding of the necessity of combining the nutrients 
of feed in such proportions as are required to meet the 
animal's need and to place in his possession figures which 
will enable him to make up the most efficient ration from 
the available feeds. True, I have known hundreds of 
successful farmers who did not know the composition of 
the various feeds in the terms here given nor the require- 
ments of the animal body in pounds of nutrients, but they 
did know the feeds necessary to produce the results they 
desired. They knew intuitively how to feed successfully. 
Infallible rules for successful feeding are as impossible 
as for planting or cultural practices. 

Sorghum Grain Values. In general farm feeding op- 
erations the value of the grain of sorghums may be re- 
garded as the equal of corn. It is well established that in 
the feeding of all classes of live stock the value of the 
grain of kafir is equal to 90 per cent that of corn — or 
10 pounds of kafir is equal to 9 pounds of corn. Feed- 
ing trials and farm feeding experience place near the 
same value on milo. No feeding tests of feterita are re- 



FEEDING GRAIN SORGHUMS 279 

corded, but those farmers who have fed it give it equal 
rank with kafir and milo. The composition of feterita 
compared with kafir and milo would indicate the correct-- 
ness of this conclusion. Milo and feterita have a bene- 
ficial laxative effect which kafir does not possess. How- 
ever, animals will get *'off feed" on milo and feterita 
more easily than on the grain of kafir. 

The composition of cane seed compared with grain 
sorghums indicates about equal feeding value but it is 
less palatable and this is probably the most serious ob- 
jection to it. Cane seed has a high value as poultry food. 

While a detailed discussion of the relative feeding value 
of the grain of sorghums compared with corn or other 
feeds would prove interesting and of value, the space re- 
quired can better be devoted to other phases of the sub- 
ject. The fact is that the grower of grain sorghums can 
not afford to quibble over so small a matter as that of 
relative values. The man who can grow sorghums better 
than corn or who cannot grow corn at all, can well af- 
ford to overlook small differences in feeding value. 

Sorghum Forage Values. The forage of the grain 
sorghums, ton for ton, is equal to the forage of corn. In 
acre ton yield the sorghums usually exceed corn when 
grown under the same conditions. The heaviest acre 
yields of forage can generally be had from sorghums 
when grown as exclusive forage crops. Cane will usual- 
ly exceed all other sorghums in forage yield. However, 
kafir is a close competitor and in view of the desirability 
of the grain, will generally prove a more satisfactory 
forage crop than cane. The forage of milo and feterita is 
not equal to that of cane or kafir, nevertheless, it is suc- 
cessfully used, both cured and as silage. These are not 
so heavily leafed as kafir or many varieties of cane, ac- 
counting for their lower value. As is true of corn, the 
leaf of the sorghums is the valuable part of the forage.. 

Keeping Quality of Forages. The forage of the sor- 
ghums keeps well — as well as alfalfa, millet or prairie hay 
— and if properly stacked can be fed with good results 



280 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

when several years old. Cane is the only exception and 
its keeping quality depends largely upon the variety, the 
season and the time of cutting. Excessively juicy cane 
does not keep well. The juices become sour and this con- 
dition depreciates the palatability. It is my experience 
that bright, well cured cane forage is more palatable than 
that of other sorghums, but it is more relished in the early 
part of the feeding season than later. On farms on which 
cane and kaf ir are both grown for forage, the cane should 
be fed first. It is the common practice in many locali- 
ties to mix cane and kafir about half and half, when 
planting, growers believing this makes the best cured 
forage. 

Protein Grains and Hays. The grain sorghums are 
rich in carbohydrates — the constituents which produce 
fat and heat in the body. When fed alone they do not 
supply the protein necessary to enable the animal to make 
rapid or large growth or economical and profitable gains. 
In this respect the grain sorghums are not different from 
corn. The feeding problem for the sorghum belt farmer 
in producing a properly balanced ration for his live stock 
is no different, therefore, than the problem which con- 
fronts the corn-growing farmer, except that in the corn 
belt grains and hays rich in protein, and which afford 
the necessary balance for the ration, are more easily pro- 
duced. The following grains and hays are more or less 
adapted to the several sections of the sorghum belt and 
can be successfully used in balancing the grains and 
roughages of the sorghums. 

Alfalfa. Alfalfa hay, when home-grown and fed with 
the grain or silage of kafir, milo or corn produces a sat- 
isfactory feeding combination which for cheapness prob- 
ably cannot be excelled. Its protein content is high, being 
in excess of 10 per cent, and a ton of its leaves in feeding 
value comes near equalling a ton of bran. Its hay is about 
one-third as rich in protein as cottonseed meal. Alfalfa 
gives the best yields on fertile, well drained lands under 
abundant rainfall, but the crop is not to be regarded as 



FEEDING GRAIN SORGHUMS 281 

unprofitable because on other lands the yields are reduced 
to one-fourth or even less compared with those of the 
best lands. An acre of upland yielding one-half ton of 
cured alfalfa hay per season, yields 110 pounds of protein, 
396 pounds carbohydrates, and 12 pounds of fat, or a total 
of 518 pounds of digestible nutrients. In one-half ton 
of cane or kafir hay there are 24 pounds protein, 400 
pounds carbohydrates, and 12 pounds fat, or a total of 
436 pounds of digestible nutrients. It requires two and 
one-fourth tons of cane to produce as much protein as is 
contained in one-half ton of alfalfa hay. The farmer who 
grows only one-half ton of cured alfalfa hay per acre, 
should measure its value, not alone by its total digestible 
nutrients, but also by the value its nutrients give to those 
of other roughages when fed in combination. The same 
view must be taken of the yields of all protein hays and 
grains when comparing them with others rich in carbo- 
hydrates. 

On the level uplands east of the 98th meridian in Kan- 
sas and Oklahoma, alfalfa generally does sufficiently well 
to make it a profitable crop as compared with other crops 
produced by the same kind of land. Farther west there 
are lowlands — other than the creek bottoms — on which 
it will prove profitable to grow alfalfa. On such land 
one fair crop a season is assured and in favorable sea- 
sons two or three cuttings may be made. 

On the uplands west of the 98th meridian the profitable 
production of alfalfa is not assured. However, on such 
lands there is an occasional grower who reports satisfac- 
tory alfalfa yields by sowing in rows two feet apart and 
giving clean, shallow cultivation. Numerous attempts 
have been made in row-seeding but failure has generally 
resulted. The failures almost universally follow neglect, 
the fields not having been cultivated and kept clean and 
the alfalfa left to win or lose in competition with the 
grass and weeds. The successful row-seeded fields are 
always those which have been kept clean and the soil 
moisture stored and conserved. Under this method 



282 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

growers claim a good first cutting and a crop of seed, 
the hay crop running one and one-half to two tons per 
acre and seed crop three to five bushels. Alfalfa is dry 
weather-resistant, it uses the soil's moisture economically 
and is in reality a good dry land crop when given proper 
care. 

Sweet Clover. The reader will note by reference to 
the table that the digestible nutrients contained in sweet 
clover are near equal to those of alfalfa. When cut early 
for hay, it has a feeding value almost equal to alfalfa. 
The stems are somewhat coarser and more woody than 
alfalfa, resulting in a greater wastage in feeding and it 
is principally on this account that its feeding value is 
depreciated as compared with alfalfa. It stores nitrogen 
in the soil as does alfalfa and as a subsoiler is one of the 
best plants for breaking up hard, stiff soils. It is bien- 
nial and lasts but two years unless it is allowed to re-seed. 

Investigation in the spring of 1913 into sweet clover 
growing in the western third of Kansas, revealed that in 
every county there were farmers who had adopted it as 
a crop. It is producing satisfactorily on upland at Akron, 
Colorado, a point having an altitude of 4,560 feet and an 
annual precipitation of about 15 inches. 

There seems ample evidence that sweet clover will 
prove a satisfactory hay and pasture plant outside of the 
area of successful alfalfa growing and it is certainly 
worthy of a thorough trial. 

Soy Beans. The soy bean will produce a crop on land 
too poor for corn. It is fully as dry weather-resistant 
as kafir, matures in 80 to 100 days and is not molested 
by chinch bugs. Fifteen years ago soy beans were given 
a trial here and there throughout Western Kansas. These 
trials were not generally satisfactory, principally be- 
cause the jack rabbits ate the small plats planted. In the 
few fields of such size that rabbits could not totally de- 
stroy them, the results were satisfactory. There was no 
more good reason for discontinuing these trials than for 



FEEDING GRAIN SORGHUMS 283 

discontinuing kafir or milo because of the fact that chinch 
bugs damage it more or less year after year. 

Cowpeas. Cowpeas are adapted to a considerable 
proportion of the sorghum belt and will materially aid the 
sorghum-growing farmer in providing protein for bal- 
ancing rations composed mainly of sorghum roughage 
and sorghum grain. They grow on almost any soil, al- 
though, like all other crops, they produce maximum yields 
on fertile soil and under abundant rainfall. There are 
dwarf and early-maturing varieties, however, which pro- 
duce both grain and hay in profitable quantities in the 
areas of lighter rainfall. East of the 98th meridian in 
most years they may be planted as a catch crop after 
early harvest. West of this meridian they should be 
planted in the spring as soon as the ground is warm. 
When planted in a well prepared, clean field their ability 
to withstand dry weather and produce a crop, is re- 
markable. In the drier sections they should be planted 
in rows and cultivated as is corn. As shown by the table 
giving the composition of various feeds, in protein con- 
tent, the hay of cowpeas is equal to alfalfa and the seed 
about one-half as rich in protein as cottonseed meal. The 
hay of cowpeas is successfully siloed with other rough- 
ages and greatly improves the silage of corn and the 
sorghums. The cowpea is also a nitrogen-gatherer and 
stores this element in the soil. 

Spanish Peanuts. The Spanish peanut has recently 
been proven a valuable crop for sections of light rainfall. 
The high protein content of the vines, the whole plant, 
and of the kernels, makes it desirable and adapted in 
balancing common roughages and grains. 

The peanut possesses, dry weather-resistance. It is 
planted in rows as is corn, and is cultivated. In the drier 
sections it is planted shallow with a lister, preferably on 
ground which has been fall plowed and disked in the early 
spring. Planting should be done a little later than in 
the case of corn. 

While the hay and the seed are valuable in feeding all 



284 SORGHUMS: sure money crops 

kinds of live stock, the crop is easily harvested and prof- 
itably consumed by turning hogs into the field. It is esti- 
mated that an acre grown under the conditions of South- 
west Oklahorna will put 500 to 1,000 pounds of gain on 
hogs when the crop is gathered by them. 

Protein for the Milk Cow. Many times the reader 
has heard it said that the grain and roughage of sor- 
ghums ''dry" milk cows. The fact is that the cow cannot 
eat sufficient of the roughage or grain of these to supply 
the protein required to produce milk. The 1,000-pound 
cow producing 22 to 25 pounds of milk per day, requires 
about 2.5 pounds of protein, 13 pounds of carbohydrates, 
and one-half pound of fat. The following ration, common 
to sorghum belt farms, illustrates the deficiency of pro- 
tein in such ration and why it is not satisfactory in milk 
production. 

Carbo- 
Protein hydrates Fat 

Cane hay, 20 pounds 40 8.12 .24 

Kafir meal, 10 pounds 78 5.71 .27 

Total nutrients 1.26 13.83 .51 

The cow requires 2.5 13. .5 

The ration below shows how a protein hay with the 
grain of kafir, supplies the required protein, and although 
slightly deficient in fat, heat and energy-forming con- 
stituents this deficiency can be supplied by increasing 
the amount of kafir meal. 

Carbo- 
Protein hydrates Fat 

Alfalfa hay, 18 pounds 1.98 7.12 .22 

Kafir meal, 8 pounds 62 4.56 .22 

Total 2.60 11.68 .44 

The cow requires 2.5 13. .5 

The following ration illustrates how other sorghum 
belt feeds may be combined. This ration contains a sur- 
plus of fat-forming nutrients but unless the cow is 



FEEDING GRAIN SORGHUMS 285 

strongly inclined to take on fat the excess will not prove 
objectionable. 

Carbo- 

Protein hydrates Fat 

Cane hay, 20 pounds . ■ 48 8.12 .24 

Kafir meal, 8 pounds 62 4.56 .22 

Soy bean meal, 5 pounds 1.45 1.16 .73 

Total 2.55 13.84 1.19 

The cow requires 2.5 13. .5 

With silage as the principal roughage, the following 
rations offer a suggestion. The deficiency in carbohy- 
drates can easily be supplied by increasing the kafir 
meal. Cottonseed meal is used in the ration because if 
protein must be bought this meal will supply it at the 
lowest cost. 

Carbo- 
Protein hydrates Fat 

Kafir silage, 30 pounds 18 4.47 .06 

Kafir head meal, 5 pounds 21 2.12 .06 

Cottonseed meal, 3 pounds 1.11 .5 .25 

Sweet clover hay, 10 pounds. . . . 1.00 3.70 .15 

Total 2.50 10.79 .52 

The cow requires 2.5 13. .5 

Carbo- 

Protein hydrates Fat 

Kafir silage, 20 pounds 12 2.98 .04 

Sweet clover hay, 20 pounds 2.00 7.40 .3 

Kafir meal, 3 pounds 23 1.71 .08 

Total 2.35 12.09 1.5 

The cow requires 2.5 13. .5 

By referring to the table showing the digestible 
nutrients contained in the several feeds the reader will 
note the roughages and grains of similar composition 
which can be substituted in the above suggested rations. 

Of all farm live stock, the milk cow — according to her 



286 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

needs — is the poorest fed. This somewhat detailed ref- 
erence to her ration is given because in the area of kafir, 
milo and cane the small farmer needs to place a greater 
dependence upon the profitable feeding and milking of 
a few cows. 

Those protein feeds more or less adapted to each sec- 
tion of the sorghum belt and to which the farmer must 
look for his protein — if he grows it — are briefly men- 
tioned above. It is not within the scope of this book to 
report detailed methods of planting, cultivation, harvest- 
ing, etc. That is another story. 

Palatability and Succulence Necessary. In a com- 
bination of feeds palatability must not be overlooked. 
Animals will not thrive on any ration unless it is relished. 
Harvesting at the right stage, proper curing, and protect- 
ing from damage by the elements, will preserve palata- 
bility. A variety of feeds adds to the palatability of a 
ration. 

A good ration possesses succulence — that quality which 
makes the green forage of any crop more palatable and 
efficient than the cured forage. Succulent feeds are al- 
ways relished. This is the condition which makes the 
silage of sorghums so much more palatable and which 
gives generally better results in feeding than the dry 
forage. Silage or succulent feeds keep the bowels in 
normal condition, the skin soft and the coat glossy, which 
are important because they are indicative of such condi- 
tion as enables the animal to make the best use of the feed 
consumed. This condition can best be maintained 
through the use of succulent feeds such as silage or beets 
or pumpkins. 

Those laxative feeds common to the sorghum belt and 
which tend to maintain a normal condition of the bowels, 
are : Alfalfa and cane hay, the grain of milo and feterita, 
soy beans, cowpeas, Spanish peanuts and linseed meal. 
The constipating feeds are the forage of corn, kafir, milo, 
feterita, prairie hay, the grain of kafir and cane, corn in 
small quantities, and cottonseed meal. 



FEEDING GRAIN SORGHUMS 287 

Various rations could be made from constipating feeds 
which would contain all the constituents needed for 
growth, flesh or milk, but such would give poor results. 

Exchange of Feeding Stuffs. I have held that the 
sorghum belt farmer should grow the feed needed for 
his live stock. There is little occasion for the farmer 
contributing to the miller for feed stuffs. However, if 
he cannot grow the protein feeds needed he can often 
make money by selling grain and buying protein concen- 
trates. For example, if the farmer has only the forage 
and grain of kafir for feeding milking cows, he cannot 
supply the herd with the protein needed to enable the 
cows to produce milk to their capacity. In 56 pounds of 
threshed kafir reduced to meal there are 4.36 pounds of 
digestible protein and at 60 cents a bushel such protein 
costs in the ration, 14 cents per pound. In cottonseed 
meal at $30 per ton, a pound of digestible protein costs 
slightly in excess of four cents. In other words, a bushel 
of kafir which can supply only 4.36 pounds of protein, 
will buy 15 pounds of digestible protein in cottonseed 
meal. This will give the reader the principle involved in 
the exchange of feeds and enable him to determine when 
he can afford to exchange grains grown on the farm for 
other feed stuffs. Many other examples might be men- 
tioned, but reference to the table of digestible nutrients 
and consideration of market prices will enable the reader 
to readily determine the profitableness of any contem- 
plated exchange. 

Kafir in Combinations for Swine. Swine feeding 
tests at the Manhattan, Kansas, iVgricultural Experiment 
Station, have established the value of kafir compared 
with corn in feeding hogs. The same station has shown 
the advantages of combining protein feeds with corn 
and kafir. Those trials which will be of particular in- 
terest to sorghum belt farmers are summarized in the 
table below: 



288 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



AVG. 

Ration — Wt. 

Lbs. 

Kafir meal 156 

Corn meal 156 

Ground wheat 156 

Kafir meal %, soy bean 

meal M^ 63 

Corn meal %, soy bean 

meal % 63 

Kafir, whole, threshed. . 188 

Kafir, whole, soaked .... 188 

Corn, shelled, dry 188 

Kafir meal, wet 188 

Kafir meal %, soy bean 

meal %, wet 188 

Kafir meal Viy corn meal 

Vi, wet 188 

Kafir meal, soaked. ... 35 
Kafir meal ~A, soy bean 

meal %, soaked 35 







Grain 




Daily 


100 


Days 


Gain 


Lbs. 


Fed 


Each 


Gain 


77 


1.37 


515 


77 


1.70 


438 


77 


1.78 


411 



126 



49 

49 
112 

112 



1.44 



2.12 
1.91 

1.15 



396 



26 


1.46 


369 


49 


1.39 


542 


49 


1.35 


632 


49 


1.50 


457 


49 


1.85 


471 



409 

456 
542 

374 



The profitable use of alfalfa hay, alfalfa pasture and 
^Axn. milk in supplying protein in the hogs' ration, is 
shown by the table below. The results in feeding alfalfa 
hay as an effective means of balancing the ration, are 
particularly striking. The small amount of grain re- 
quired to produce 100 pounds of gain when skim milk 
formed a part of the ration, is also noteworthy. 



AvG. 
Ration — Wt. 

Lbs. 
Kafir, whole, dry, al- 
falfa 126 

Kafir meal, alfalfa 

meal 126 



Daily Grain Hay 
Gain 100 Lbs. 100 Lbs. 
Each Gain Gain 



1.41 



1.32 



515 



538 



72.4 



78.8 



FEEDING GRAIN SORGHUMS 



289 



Ration 

Kafir meal %, soy 
bean meal % 

Kafir meal, wet, al- 
falfa 

Kafir meal, cottonseed 
meal, wet 

Kafir meal, skim 
milk 

Kafir, skim milk, al- 
falfa pasture 

Kafir, skim milk 

Kafir, alfalfa pasture 

Kafir, whole 



AVG. 


Daily 


Grain 


Hay 


Wt. 


Gain 


100 Lbs. 


100 Lbs 


Lbs. 


Each 


Gain 


Gain 


126 


1.55 


468 




165 


.88 


538 


214. 


165 


.95 


466 


73.8t 


165 


2.43 


268 


526. * 


124 


1.68 


477 


298. * 


124 


1.57 


500 


318. 


124 


1.08 


554 




124 


.99 


638 





t Pounds of cottonseed meal per 100 pounds gain. 
* Pounds of skim milk per 100 pounds gain. 

Grain Sorghums For Sheep. The experiment sta- 
tions of the grain sorghum belt have thoroughly estab- 
lished the value of kafir and milo as compared with corn 
in the production of mutton. Sheep feeders in Kansas, 
report good results in feeding the grain of sor- 
ghums with alfalfa hay and the feeders of Texas have 
had satisfactory gains from feeding the grain in the 
head with millet and cane hay as roughage. It is quite 
generally regarded that the sheep is better able to grind 
its own grain than are other farm animals and the use 
of whole grain is recommended. Professor Henry, of 
Wisconsin, says it is true that "a sheep which cannot 
grind its own grain is not worth feeding." 

Kafir For Horses. For horses, kafir heads may be 
substituted for ear corn. Horses relish kafir in the heads 
more than in any other form. It is economy to chop the 
heads into two or three pieces with a hatchet or corn 
knife. Threshed kafir should be ground for horse feed. 
Ground heads are not relished by horses. The Manhat- 



290 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

tan, Kansas, Agricultural Experiment Station horses, 
doing heavy farm work, have been fed the same weight 
of kafir heads as of ear corn with entirely satisfactory 
results. This experience is verified by thousands of 
farmers throughout the kafir and milo-growing sections. 
Young horses and those not working will maintain them- 
selves in good condition on the roughage of sorghums 
which has a small quantity of grain. 

Kafir and Skim Milk For Calves. For the skim milk- 
reared calf, kafir meal has proven a good substitute for 
the fat removed from the milk. Calves should be fed 
whole milk until they reach the age of ten days or two 
weeks, at which time they begin to eat meal and rough- 
age. At first, put a little kafir meal in the calf's mouth 
after it has finished drinking. Soon the calf will eat 
the meal with a relish and skim milk may be gradually 
substituted for the whole milk. Four-weeks-old calves 
will require three-fourths to a pound per day, and eight- 
weeks-old calves one and a half to two pounds. Do not 
mix kafir meal or the meal of other grains with the milk, 
but permit the calf to eat the grain. Kafir meal is par- 
ticularly adapted to feeding with skim milk because of 
its constipating effect materially assisting in checking 
the tendency to scour. The meal of milo and feterita, 
being laxative, is not so desirable for feeding with skim 
milk. Whole grain may be substituted for the meal so 
soon as the calf can eat it. When the calf eats readily, 
heads chopped into two or three pieces can be fed. In 
feeding the whole grain there will be some waste but this 
will be less with calves than with older animals. 

Head Meal of the Sorghums, There is no experi- 
mental data which has definitely determined the value of 
the head meal of kafir, milo and other sorghums com- 
pared with the meal of the threshed grain. However, 
many feeders have for years been grinding heads and the 
feeding results are such as warrant generally careful in- 
quiry into the value of head meal and the practicability 
of using it. 



FEEDING GRAIN SORGHUMS 291 

All experience indicates that generally the grain of 
kafir should be ground for feeding, but the storing of the 
threshed grain and of the meal from the same is attended 
by more or less difficulty because of heating in the bin. 
If the feeding of head meal is practical, as feeders be- 
lieve, then these difficulties are overcome because the 
heads can be safely stored for an indefinite period, and 
the head meal if kept dry, is in little danger of heating. 
On a farm equipped with a grinder the heads can be 
ground as needed. The expense of grinding need be but 
slightly in excess of grinding the threshed grain and the 
threshing expense is saved. 

Here is what J. G. Mitchell, Wilson County, Kansas, 
wrote Kansas Farmer, January 1912 : ''Kafir should 
never be threshed, but fed either in the head or the heads 
ground. In either of these forms it will keep indefinitely. 
The meal of threshed kafir is too heavy for good feeding. 
When ground in the head I have found it to be fully the 
equal of corn chop and bran mixed, and much cheaper. 
If it is desired to hold the surplus for another feeding 
season it will keep perfectly in the head." 

Mills for Grinding Heads. There are several mills 
adapted to farm use which successfully grind the heads 
of kafir, milo and other sorghums, as well as corn in 
the ear and all small grains. Such mills sell at prices 
ranging from $75 to $125 f. o. b. shipping point. These 
are belt-driven, not sweep mills, and have a claimed ca- 
pacity of 1,200 to 1,800 pounds of kafir or milo head meal 
per hour, depending upon the condition of the heads, 
fineness of feed desired, and speed at which mill is 
operated. 

Provide Variety of Feeds. The most trying time in 
the feeding of live stock is in the late spring when all 
forage-eating animals are instinctively inclined to grass 
and by which time have tired of the winter's roughage. 
It is at this time when choice forage is most appreciated 
by the good live stock feeder. An extra effort should be 
made to have palatable feed at this season and if a part 



292 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

of the forage should be a little finer and brighter and 
more appetizing than another, it should be saved for 
spring feeding. On every sorghum-growing farm can 
be grown forages which will afford variety during the 
fall and winter and which will supply appetizing rough- 
ages for the period just preceding grass. If the farm 
does not grow alfalfa or sweet clover hay, then early cut 
prairie hay, oat, wheat, rye or barley hay, cowpeas, etc., 
may be had. These make most excellent roughages for 
use in the stable for evening feeding or when the stock 
is kept up on a stormy day. It should be kept in mind 
that a variety of forages and grains will give the best 
feeding results. 

Sorghums for Pasture and Soiling. The value and 
need of supplemental pasture or crops which can be fed 
green during times of short grass pasture, is realized by 
every grower of live stock but in actual practice com- 
mands little attention. The sorghums are admirably 
adapted as pasture or soiling crops. They are rapid 
growers, remain green and succulent longer than other 
crops and yield a liberal acre tonnage. Cane and kafir 
are better adapted to these uses than other sorghums 
because of their greater succulence and larger proportion 
of leaves. 

While it is generally considered safe to pasture horses, 
mules and sheep on sorghums under all conditions of 
growth, nevertheless, an ounce of caution is worth a 
pound of cure. The pasturing of cattle should be at- 
tended by caution at all times, because of the danger of 
prussic acid poisoning. I have pastured sorghums under 
all conditions which present themselves to the average 
farmer, without serious results, and I know farmers who 
make a practice of pasturing sorghums and who have 
experienced no loss of consequence in proportion to the 
value of the pasture. The experience of the reader, how- 
ever, may have proven or may prove disastrous, and he 
should therefore use such pasture carefully. 

Sorghum pastures are well worth providing for hogs 



FEEDING GRAIN SORGHUMS 293 

alone. Swine are not susceptible to sorghum poisoning. 
The plants may be pastured when 12 to 18 inches high, 
but the stalks never get so large that the hog cannot de- 
rive all the benefits of the pasture. On many farms 
three or four lots are sowed ten days to two weeks apart, 
and thus when one lot becomes eaten out, another pasture 
is available. Sorghum pasture produces small gains on 
hogs but its conditioning effect is such as induces the 
use of other feeds at their maximum value. 

The sorghums are excellent crops for cutting and feed- 
ing green. While the best results and the largest ton- 
nage will be obtained when the plant is near maturity, 
it can be used during any stage of its growth. The labor 
involved in soiling is the principal objection to this 
method of feeding. However, whether soiling is laborious 
or not, depends much upon the ingenuity of the farmer. 
The corn binder is handy in cutting soiling crops because 
the bundles are easily handled. For a small herd, a day's 
feed in bundles can be placed on a hay-rack and fed in 
racks or on the ground twice daily. The soiling crop 
should be grown near the feed lot or pasture. Should 
prussic acid be present in the green forage, feeding in 
this manner is as dangerous as pasturing. 

The day is not far distant when the supplemental sum- 
mer feed will be the silage of these crops. Feeding from 
the silo will result in a minimum of labor and maximum 
of convenience. 

Prussic Acid Poisoning. The serious objection to 
sorghums as pasture or soiling crops, is the danger of 
prussic acid poisoning. Prussic acid in quantities suf- 
ficient to prove fatal to cattle, is common to all sorghums 
and to two hundred species of other plants. Writing on 
the subject in Kansas Farmer, G. C. Wheeler, associate 
editor, says: 

''There is something mysterious about the development 
of prussic acid in the sorghums. Experiment station 
veterinarians know little about the causes tending to pro- 
duce this poisonous condition. It was believed for some 



294 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

time that it developed only in second growth sorghums. 
It was also believed that frosted cane or kafir was likely 
to be poisonous. Both of these theories, however, have 
been disproven. 

**Dr. A. T. Peters, formerly of the Nebraska Agricul- 
tural Experiment Station, who has probably given the 
development of this poison in sorghums more attention 
than any other veterinarian, ventures only one conclu- 
sion, namely, that the poison seemed to be more prevalent 
during seasons in which a stunted condition of the plant 
was produced. It appeared that at times the plant was 
poisonous for only a very short period, being apparently 
safe when that period had expired." 

It is certain that the loss of cattle through sorghum 
poisoning is greater during seasons when the normal 
growth of the plant is checked by dry, hot weather. Such 
conditions as existed throughout the sorghum belt in 
1913, seem favorable to the development of prussic acid 
and in that year reports of cattle losses were numerous. 
Positive information cannot be given as to what results 
follow the siloing of green sorghums which contain this 
poison. However, it is believed that the fermentations 
which take place in silage will destroy or counteract the 
effect of this poison. It is reasonably safe to so conclude 
that such is the case since there are no recorded instances 
of poisoning from the feeding of sorghum silage, and 
it is certain that millions of tons of sorghums which in 
all probability contained prussic acid were siloed in Kan- 
sas in 1911 and 1913. It is also believed that this poison 
does not exist in dangerous quantities in cured forage, 
there being only one instance in the history of the Kan- 
sas station in which prussic acid was found in the cured 
forage in sufficient quantity to kill cattle. 

In cases of prussic acid poisoning a strong solution of 
corn syrup or molasses may be administered as an anti- 
dote. Large quantities of milk may also be given with 
good effect. A solution of 100 parts of sulphate of iron 
mixed with 250 parts of water, and 15 parts of calcined 



FEEDING GRAIN SORGHUMS 295 

magnesia mixed with 200 parts of water, is also effective. 
These two solutions are mixed and given to horses or 
cattle in doses of ten to forty ounces. The antidotes 
should be administered at once and in all cases the af- 
fected animal should be kept in the open air. 

Kafir and Cane Silage. The value of kaf ir and cane 
as feed crops has been more than doubled within the past 
few years as a result of the success with which the silage 
of these has been fed. With the establishing of the feed- 
ing value of these as equal or superior to corn, every acre 
of cane or kafir-growing land may properly be considered 
as having a value equal to land which will produce an 
equivalent tonnage of corn. In other words, an acre of 
land in the sorghum belt which will grow 10 tons of cane 
or kafir silage is equal in value to land which will grow 
10 tons of corn silage with equal certainty or regularity. 
The equality of kafir or cane silage in comparison with 
corn is an important discovery for the sorghum belt 
farmer because it points to him the added possibilities 
for increased prosperity through a more certain feed 
supply and the most economical feeding of his live stock 
and particularly in the more profitable production of beef 
and milk. 

In the early ''nineties" the Alabama Agricultural Ex- 
periment Station reported the silage of saccharine and 
non-saccharine sorghums as ranking close to corn, and 
the Texas Station reported results leading to the con- 
clusion that the silage of kafir compared favorably with 
that of corn. As early as 1903 the Manhattan, Kansas, 
Agricultural Experiment Station recommended the use 
of kafir for silage in preference to corn in all those sec- 
tions where kafir yielded a greater quantity of forage 
and grain than did corn. Following this recommenda- 
tion farmers here and there throughout Kansas siloed 
both kafir and cane when they failed to grow corn, and 
in feeding were achieving only moderate success. It is 
now certain that the early silage of these sorghums was 
cut when the plant was immature, producing silage com- 



296 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

paratively low in feeding nutrients and also too sour 
to be palatable. 

It was during the feeding season of 1912-13 that the 
Manhattan, Kansas, station sought to learn the fact re- 
garding the merits of kafir and cane silage as compared 
with corn for milk and beef production, and the results 
of this investigation are worth to Kansas farmers much 
more than the Agricultural College had to that date cost 
the state. It is not over-estimating the value of these 
silage trials to say that their worth to Kansas alone can- 
not be measured in dollars. The tests apply with equal 
importance to Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado — 
those states or parts of which comprise the entire 
sorghum belt — as well as to other states which are grow- 
ing or can grow a larger tonnage of cane and kafir than 
of corn. In Kansas and Oklahoma during the feeding 
seasons of 1912-13 and 1913-14, the use of cane and kafir 
silage has been so thoroughly tried by farm feeders as 
well as by professional feeders, that the accuracy and 
value of the experimental data has been proven and 
established and it may now be considered that there is 
no longer any question regarding the value of the silage 
of these sorghums. The principal source of satisfaction, 
however, comes through the fact that these crops produce 
roughage with which to fill the silo in seasons when corn 
fails. So the measure of the farmer's value is not alone 
through the equality of kafir and cane silage as compared 
with corn, but from the standpoint of a more certain feed 
supply. 

The value of milo and feterita as silage has not been 
determined by agricultural experiment stations, but re- 
ports from feeders indicate that each produces silage 
which gives satisfactory feeding results. The point, 
however, is this, that for those farms which can grow 
better yields of milo or feterita or on which they are more 
certain than kafir or cane, they are satisfactory silage 
crops. 

The siloing of the fodder of corn, kafir or cane has also 



FEEDING GRAIN SORGHUMS 297 

proven successful and this also gives added value to these 
crops. The cutting of the dry forage with the addition 
of one-third to one-half its weight of water at time of 
siloing, makes it more palatable than in the dried form 
and almost totally eliminates the waste. 

Kafir and Cane Silage For Milk Cows. The first of 
the recent trials by the Manhattan, Kansas, Agricultural 
Experiment Station to test the comparative values of 
kafir, cane and corn silage for feeding milk cows, was 
conducted in 1911-12 and gave the same results as the 
tests the year following. 

The following deductions are from the published con- 
clusions of 0. E. Reed, Professor of Dairying, and his as- 
sistant, J. B. Fitch, who planned and conducted the tests : 

Corn silage is slightly superior as a milk producer, to 
silage made from kafir and cane. 

Kafir silage ranks second and cane silage third as a 
feed for milk cows. 

In both trials the cows seemed to gain in live weight on 
cane silage more readily than on the silage made from 
kafir or corn. This would indicate that cane silage con- 
tains more fattening nutrients than kafir or corn. It is 
believed that the cane silage would prove the equal, ton 
for ton, of the corn or kafir silage if the grain ration were 
changed so that the animal could use the nutrients more 
economically. This could be done by feeding more pro- 
tein and less fat-forming nutrients in the grain ration. 

Although the kafir and cane silage were shown to be 
slightly less valuable than corn silage, there are other fac- 
tors that must be considered, namely, yield and adapta- 
bility to local conditions. Without doubt, the increased 
yield of cane and kafir per acre will offset the slight in- 
crease in feeding value obtained from corn silage. Kafir 
and cane are dry weather-resistant crops and can be 
grown over a wider territory than corn, and from one- 
third to one-half more tonnage per acre can be obtained. 

Most of the cane seed and a large amount of the kafir 
grain passed through the animals undigested. This sug- 



298 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

gests that the nutritive value of these crops as silage is, 
to a great extent, limited to the nutritive value of the 
stalks and leaves. 

The quality of silage was very good. The kafir was 
perhaps the poorest on account of being immature when 
the heavy frost forced an early harvest. 

The cows ate the silage with relish. The cane silage 
seemed to be the most palatable. 

The time of cutting cane and kafir for silage is all- 
important in making good silage. These crops should be 
practically mature; that is, the seed should be mature. 
At this time the stalk still possesses enough juices to 
make good silage. If put up too green it will make sour 
silage. The silage should be put up before frost if pos- 
sible, but it is advisable to let the crop stand until after 
frost instead of putting it up too green. After a heavy 
frost the crop should be cut and siloed immediately. If 
the forage dries out too much before cutting, add suf- 
ficient water to pack well. 

Wintering Beef Calves on Silage. Every grower of 
beef cattle is vitally interested in the economical win- 
tering of such stock. The Manhattan, Kansas, Agricul- 
tural Experiment Station, during the winters of 1912-13 
and 1913-14, made a series of trials in wintering beef 
cattle, the results of which trials are briefly summarized 
below by G. C. Wheeler, associate editor of Kansas 
Farmer. 

In the first trial 50 calves were divided into five lots 
of ten each. The first, second and third lots were fed 
kafir, cane and corn silage, respectively, as the only 
roughage, and one pound of cottonseed meal was fed 
each calf daily. One of the remaining lots was fed corn 
silage and alfalfa hay, the other corn stover, alfalfa hay 
and enough shelled corn to equal the amount of corn in 
the silage fed the other lot. Each lot was fed 100 days, 
and the following values were placed on the several kinds 
of feed : Corn silage, $3 per ton ; kafir and cane silage,, 



FEEDING GRAIN SORGHUMS 299 

$2.66; alfalfa hay, $10; corn stover, $3; cottonseed meal, 
$30, and shelled corn, 50 cents per bushel. 

The average daily gains ranged from 1.5 pounds in 
the corn silage lot, to 1.62 pounds in the kafir silage lot. 
The feed cost per day per calf, for the kafir silage lot, 
was slightly less than five and one-half cents, and for the 
lot receiving stover, shelled corn and alfalfa, almost six 
cents. The cost of the gains per hundred pounds was 
lowest in the kafir silage lot, being $3.37, and highest in 
the lot receiving corn silage and alfalfa hay, being $3.83. 
The profits per lot were $47.05 for corn silage; $51.03 
for cane silage; and $60.46 for kafir silage. 

The results indicated that the three kinds of silage 
when supplemented with cottonseed meal, were about 
equal. The greater economy of the silage ration is ap- 
parent since it required only about one and a half acres 
to produce the silage for each lot, while the lot wintered 
on corn stover, alfalfa hay and shelled corn required four 
acres — one acre to produce the alfalfa, two acres for 
stover alone and one acre for stover and corn combined. 

In the 1913-14 test 102 heifer calves were divided into 
six lots of 17 each. On three lots, corn, cane and kafir 
silage was compared. The silage fed contained no grain 
but each calf was given one pound of shelled corn, one 
pound of linseed meal, daily, and with this a small amount 
of straw. During the 100-day feeding period the kafir 
silage lot gained 1.48 pounds per day per calf, the corn 
silage lot, 1.18, and the cane silage lot, 1.3 pounds. The 
feed cost per hundred pounds of gain was lowest in the 
kafir silage lot, being $5.26, highest in corn silage lot, 
$6.73, and in the cane silage lot was $5.98. On the basis 
of prevailing market prices, the kafir silage made a profit 
per head, of $2.48 ; corn silage, 49 cents ; cane silage, 
77 cents. 

Each of the other three lots in this trial was fed cane 
silage, straw, and one pound of corn per calf per day, one 
lot being fed cottonseed meal, another cold pressed cot- 
tonseed cake, and the other alfalfa hay as a protein sup- 
plement. 



300 sorghums: sure money crops 

The lowest average daily gain per calf was 1.12 pounds 
on cane silage and alfalfa hay, the highest 1.4 pounds 
on cane silage and cottonseed meal. The latter lot made 
the cheapest gains per hundred pounds, the cost being 
$5.52 or a profit per calf of $1.83. The cost per hundred 
pounds of gain from cane silage and cold pressed cake 
was $5.90, and the profit per calf, $1.31. The cost of 
gains produced by cane silage and alfalfa was $6.92 per 
hundred, and the profit per calf, 13 cents. 

The poorer showing of corn compared with cane or 
kafir, was undoubtedly due to the injury done the corn by 
dry weather. The good showing made by the kafir and 
cane silage under the extremely trying conditions of 1913, 
is a strong point in favor of these crops for silage. 

In the above trials charges were made each of the 
six lots as follows : Silage, $4 per ton ; linseed meal, $33 ; 
cottonseed meal, $31; cold pressed cottonseed cake, $26; 
alfalfa hay, $14; wheat straw, $2; shelled corn, 70 cents 
a bushel. 

Wintering Beef Breeding Cows at Hays. The study 
of wintering mature beef breeding cows on kafir silage 
was begun at the Hays, Kansas, Agricultural Experi- 
ment Station, during the winter of 1912-13. Four lots 
of 19 cows each were fed for 100 days. Each lot was 
given one pound of cottonseed meal per head, daily, and 
all the wheat straw the cows would eat. Two lots re- 
ceived kafir silage, one having practically a full ration 
of 35 pounds daily, the other limited to 20 pounds daily. 
One of the other two lots was fed kafir fodder with the 
grain, the other kafir stover — fodder from which the 
heads had been removed. 

The cows in all lots wintered in fairly good condition, 
the gains ranging from 36 pounds per cow in the lot re- 
ceiving the kafir stover, to 124 pounds in the lot receiv- 
ing the full ration of kafir silage. The lowest feed cost 
per cow was $4.93 for the lot receiving 20 pounds of kafir 
silage. The cost of wintering the lot receiving the full 
silage ration was $7.19 per cow. The most expensive win- 



FEEDING GRAIN SORGHUMS 301 

tering cost was $7.21 per cow for the lot receiving the 
kaf ir fodder containing the grain. 

The above cost figures are based on the following ton 
charges : Silage, $3 ; kaf ir fodder, $4 ; kaf ir stover, $3 ; 
wheat straw, 50 cents; cottonseed cake, $30. The kafir 
used in filling the silos yielded at the rate of about eight 
tons per acre. It was estimated that the same fields 
yielded four tons of air-dried fodder per acre, and three 
tons of kafir stover. 

The large amount of straw consumed by the silage fed 
cows was significant. The cows on the limited silage 
ration consumed an average of 17.2 pounds of straw 
daily. Those on full silage ration, 14.2, while those eat- 
ing dry kafir fodder and kafir stover consumed only a 
little more than 10 pounds daily. 

From the standpoint of economy in the use of feed, 
the small acreage required to produce the kafir silage is 
especially worthy of note. The limited silage ration re- 
quired only one-eighth of an acre to feed one cow, and the 
full silage ration required one-fifth of an acre. The 
ration for the lot fed kafir stover required almost one- 
half acre. 

During the winter of 1913-14 at the same station a 
136-day test was made in wintering breeding cows. Two 
lots were fed kafir fodder, wheat straw, five to six 
pounds of kafir silage and one pound of cottonseed cake, 
each, per day. The third lot was fed the same roughage 
ration but given one pound of linseed meal and a little 
alfalfa hay. The cows wintered in fairly good condition, 
the total gain per animal ranging from 18.6 to 55.7 
pounds. The cows were fed for maintenance only, and no 
gains were expected. 

The low feed cost resulting from the use of kafir silage 
as the bulk of the ration, was significant. The lowest 
feed cost per cow was in one of the lots receiving the cot- 
tonseed cake and amounted to $4.53. The highest cost 
was that of the lot receiving linseed meal, being $6.17 
per cow. 



302 SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 

For the past three years the station authorities have 
been closely watching the effects of cottonseed cake in 
the ration for breeding cows. The results of this last test 
indicate that the linseed meal supplement is safer than 
the cottonseed cake, since no cows aborted in this lot and 
some abortions occurred in the lots fed cottonseed cake. 

Silage for Horses. On every farm having a supply of 
silage the horses and mules are given their share. Silage 
will not enter into the ration of the horse to the same 
extent as in the case of cattle, because the horse requires 
a more condensed ration. Mouldy silage cannot safely 
be fed to horses or mules. 

A Barber County, Kansas, feeder counts silage as one 
of the best horse feeds. He has been feeding from 30 to 
40 head of colts and mares, and a number of mules, each 
year. The ration is made up of silage and alfalfa hay. 

Cost of Filling Silos. The cost per ton of putting up 
silage cannot be definitely stated because of the wide 
range of varying conditions under which the work is 
done. In February 1913, Kansas Farmer printed the 
statements of a considerable number of silo users and 
the cost of filling ranged from 55 cents per ton to $1.50. 
These statements indicate that the average expense of 
silo filling, including all labor and power — but not includ- 
ing interest on investment — was about 75 cents per ton. 

Marketing Grain Sorghums. Growers need have no 
fear regarding a market for the surplus grain of the 
sorghums. So soon as enough grain is grown within 
hauling distance of any point to make shipping worth 
while, there will be a buyer, and the supply will be as 
readily absorbed as corn, oats, barley or other grains. 

A large proportion of the marketable kafir and milo 
is used in mixed poultry feeds. This demand is increas- 
ing. Three large Chicago users buy an average of 
350,000 bushels a month, and firms located in New York 
shipped a million bushels from Galveston in December 
1912 and January 1913. Mixers of poultry feed would 
greatly increase their purchases if the available supply 



FEEDING GRAIN SORGHUMS 303 

were larger. There are millions of tons of mixed feeds 
sold for horses and cattle and many manufacturers of 
these would use grain sorghums if their requirements 
could be supplied. 

Galveston grain men express the belief that a large, 
permanent market for kafir and milo can be created in 
Europe. In December 1912 and January 1913 that port 
forwarded 76,853 bushels, distributed to Antwerp and 
Liverpool. The above export shipments were made at 
96^ cents per hundred pounds or 54 cents per bushel 
f. o. b. vessel, milo commanding five cents per bushel 
higher price than kafir. 

Grades for Kafir and Milo. The standard grades for 
kafir and milo which have for several years been estab- 
lished on the Wichita, Kansas City and Chicago grain ex- 
changes, are: 

White Kafir — No. 1 shall be pure white, of choice 
quality, sound, dry and well cleaned ; No. 2 shall be seven- 
eighths white, sound, dry and clean ; No. 3 shall be seven- 
eighths white, not dry, clean or sound enough for No. 2 ; 
No. 4 shall be seven-eighths white, badly damaged, damp, 
musty or very dirty. 

Red Kafir — No. 1 shall be pure red, of choice quality, 
sound, dry and well cleaned ; No. 2 shall be seven-eighths 
red, sound, dry and clean; No. 3 shall be seven-eighths 
red, not dry, clean or sound enough for No. 2 ; No. 4 shall 
be seven-eighths red, badly damaged, damp, musty or 
very dirty. 

Mixed Kafir — No. 1 shall be mixed, of choice quality, 
sound, dry and well cleaned ; No. 2 shall be mixed, sound, 
dry and clean ; No. 3 shall be mixed, not dry, clean or 
sound enough for No. 2 ; No. 4 shall include all mixed, 
badly damaged, damp, musty or very dirty. 

Milo — No. 1 shall be mixed, of choice quality, sound, 
dry and well cleaned ; No. 2 shall be mixed, sound, dry and 
clean ; No. 3 shall be mixed, not dry, clean or sound 
enough for No. 2; No. 4 shall include all mixed, badly 
damaged, damp, musty, or very dirty. 



INDEX 



Acclimated seed, 139, 162, 163, 261. 

Acre cost, corn growing, 99. 

Acre values, corn vs. kafir and milo, 
101, 103; milo vs. kafir, 104. 

Adapted corn varieties and areas, 
Kansas, 139. 

Adapted crops, 117, 118; need for, 1, 
65-67. 

Adapted machinery, 28. 

Adapted sorghums and areas, Kan- 
sas, 135-137. 

African kafir seed performance, 247. 

Alfalfa, dry weather-resistant, 282; 
hay in wintering ration for beef 
calves, 298-300; beef breeding cows, 
301; hay valuable for protein. 280; 
west of the 98th meridian, 281. 

Altitude map of Kansas, 114. 

Altitudes of sorghum belt, 7. 

Antidotes for prussic acid poison- 
ing, 294. 

Ant, kafir, 273. 

Areas of adaptation for sorghums, 
121. 

Arid soils favorable . to plant 
growth, 7. 

Army worm damage to sorghums, 272. 

Author long-time grower of sor- 
ghums, 225. 

Bainer, on method breaking crust for 
young plants, 201; on planting rate 
for Texas Panhandle, 185. 

Ball, on effect of earliness and 
dwarfness on yield, 61. 

Better corn-growing methods needed, 
91. 

Bin ventilator for sorghums, 212. 

Blncler, use of in forage harvesting, 
216. 

Binned seed should not be planted, 
231. 

Bishop, on early rainfall utilization, 
197-199; on proper use of feterita 
crop, 270. 

Black, endorses sorghums for Okla- 
homa, 81; on feterita value, 268. 

Blight of sorghums is work of 
midge, 271. 

Blowing soil controlled, 167, 168. 

Boundaries of sorghum belt, 3. 

Branching and suckering disadvant- 
ages, 256, 259, 268. 

Broomcorn, feeding value of seed, 
35, 54. 

Butler County, Kansas, big sorghum- 
growing county. 111; comparative 
figures sorghums and corn. 111; 
one acre sorghums to two and one- 
half corn, 112; widely known for 
sorghums grown, 112; sorghum 
acreage increasing, corn decreasing, 
112; sorghum acreage for forage- 
eating animals, 113. 



304 



Call, on white-hulled kafir, 137. 

Calves, kafir and skim milk for, 290 
silage for wintering beef, 298-300 

Cane, acreage map of Kansas, 108 
and kafir forage, 280; harvesting 
213-220; and kafir silage, 128, 214 
vs. corn, 295-298 — for milk cows, 
297, 298; area, 126; benefits thin 
land, 153; common name for sweet 
sorshums, 53; deep feeder, 153; ex- 
cels kafir or milo on thin lands, 
126; fodder silage, 296, 297; for- 
age for milo sections, 124; forage 
yields Central and Eastern Kansas, 
127; forage and silage yields vs. 
kafir and corn, 92; Missouri fig- 
ures, 69; Nebraska figures, 70-72; 
planted in rows for forage, 191-193; 
seed and forage feeding value vs. 
corn, 279; seed selection, handling 
and testing for germination, 242- 
246, 260; superior dry weather for- 
age, 127; varieties, 158-160; vs. 
kafir and corn silage in wintering 
ration for beef calves, 298-300; 
yields vs. corn, kafir and milo, 93. 

Care in handling sorghum forage, 
218, 219. 

Cash crops, 35. 

Catch crops for Southeast Kansas, 
145. 

Cattle and hogs, eventually fat- 
ten, 27. 

Causes of disappointing kafir yields, 
230-233. 

Chinch bugs and sorghums, 271. 

Choring profitable, 29. 

Classification of sorghums. 51-54. 

Climate, rainfall and .'^oil, 5; does not 
change, 115; governs farm methods, 
115. 

Cocks of good size advantageous in 
preserving forage, 220. 

Colorado, Exp. Sta. on milo yields, 
74: kafir and milo, 73-75. 

Combinations of feed for swine, 
287-289 

Constipating feeds, 286, 287. 

Contour listing, advantages of, 178. 

Co-operative demonstrations in soil- 
blowing districts, 171. 

Corn, acreage and value compared 
with kafir and milo, 104, 105, 107; 
acreage in Butler County, Kansas, 
decreasing, sorghums increasing, 
112; acreage less than sorghuins in 
ten Kansas counties, 109j 110; acre 
growing cost, 99; acre value vs. 
kafir and milo, 101, 103; and sor- 
ghums, fair comparison impossible, 
95, 96; area map of Kansas. 138; 
best market through live stock, 99; 
better growing methods, 91; Fields' 
recommendation for Oklahoma, 83, 



INDEX 



305 



84; fodder silage, 296, 1^97; forage 
and silage yields vs. cane and kafir, 
92, 93; growing methods similar to 
those for sorghums, 222; nine acres 
to each one of kafir and milo in 
Kansas, 104; Oklahoma figures, 79; 
points unfavorable to Kansas, 90; 
ratio inconsistent, 108; removes 
same amount of plant food as kafir, 
152; two and one-half acres to one 
of sorghums in Butler County, Kan- 
sas, 112; value vs. sorghums, 110; 
varieties and areas, 139; vs. cane 
and kafir silage for beef calves, 
298-300 — for milk cows, 297, 298; 
yields vs. Jerusalem corn, kafir and 
inilo, 95; yields and value, 97; 
yields vs. kafir, 80-83, 88. 89, 91; 
yields vs. kafir, cane and milo, 93. 
Corn sled, use in forage harvesting, 

217. 
Cost, comparative, wintering beef 
breeding cows, 300-302 — beef calves, 
298-300; corn-growing acre, 99; of 
filling silos, 303. 
Cottonseed, cake vs. linseed meal for 
beef breeding cows, 301, 302; meal 
in wintering ration for beef calves, 
298-300. 
Cottrell, locates sorghum areas, 121, 
127; on dairying for sorghum belt, 
43, 44; on high-yielding type, 238, 
239; on milo for Eastern Colorado, 
74; planting advice, 189. 
County precipitation map of Kan- 
sas, 130. 
Cowpeas, adaptability and usefulness, 
283; hay equal to alfalfa in pro- 
tein, 283. 
Cows, wintering beef breeding, 300- 

302. 
Crop, assurance and head type close- 
ly related, 253; assurance greater in 
thin planting, 183; production and 
rainfall, 13. 
Crop rotations, for Kansas, 156; for 
Oklahoma, 157; necessary for sor- 
ghum-growing farms, 15 5. 
Crops, best to plant following sor- 
ghums, 155; diversification of nec- 
essary, 33, 45; separate for grain 
and forage, 181. 
Cross-fertilization and methods of 

control, 63. 
Cultivation, before plants are up, 
201; deep should be given early, 
202; early counts, 200; home-made 
implement for early, 201: imple- 
ment for late, 203; implement to 
be used for early deep, 203; late 
should be shallow, 203; methods af- 
fect yield, 230; methods of Butler 
County, Kansas, grower, 203; ob- 
ject of, 165; reward for late, 204; 
should be as good for sorghums as 
for corn, 200. 
Cultural practices, recommended, 16. 

Dairying, Cottrell's estimate of value 
of, 43; need for, 37; sorghum belt 
successes. 39, 41; Thomas County, 
Kansas, banker's estimate of value 
of, 42; will keep up family and 
farm expenses, 44. 

Dean's recommendation for destroy- 
ing kafir ant, 273. 



Different crops and methods for dif- 
ferent areas, 117, 118. 

Different use of moisture by differnet 
plants, 15. 

Digestible nutrients in grains and 
roughages, 276, 277; required for 
various animals, 277, 278. 

Dodge City, Kansas, station corn, 
kafir, cane forage yields, 92. 

Drouth, farmer held responsible for, 
10. 

Dry-farming methods, cannot escape, 9 

Durra varieties and uses named, 52. 

Early cultivation may be deep, 202. 

Earlv grain harvest gives green feed, 
206. 

Early maturity developed, 177. 

Early start desirable for grain sor- 
ghums, 177. 

Elements of feed and function of 
each, 275. 

Evaporation of moisture from soil, 11. 

Exchange of feeds advantageous, 287. 

Fall listing pays, 173. 

Fallowing a profitable practice, 156. 

Farmer can approximate station 
yields, 93. 

Farming, balanced will pay best, 37; 
safe svstem for Kansas, Oklahoma 
and Texas, 143, 144. 

Farm methods governed by climate, 
115. 

Fed. Dept. of Agriculture, illustrates 
desirable head type, 251, 252; on 
sorghums for Panhandle^ 77; on ef- 
fect of cane on land, 153; on 
feterita, 266, 267; on kaoliangs, 
270, 271. 

Feed, combinations for swine, 287- 
289; crops for different sections of 
Kansas, 223: easy method of carry- 
ing over, 31; elements and func- 
tions, 275; reserve supply essential, 
29: variety essential, 291. 

Feeding, and market value of kafir 
lessened by carelessness, 232; grain 
sorghums most profitable market, 
274; methods unprofitable, 274; 
quality of forage depends upon har- 
vest, 213: value corn and kafir com- 
pared, 81, 82; value grain of kafir, 
milo, feterita and cane vs. corn, 
278. 279; value of forage greatest 
in dough stage, 215. 

Feeds, constipating, 286; exchanged 
advantageously, 287; laxative, 286. 

Fertility, conservation plan for every 

section, 151. 
Feterita, and milo head type, 253, 
255; area as determined by pre- 
cipitation, 121; area of usefulness, 
263, 266-268; as catch crop in 
Southeast Kansas, 145: as rough- 
age, 266; cautions, 270; damaged 
by birds, 266; deserves considera- 
tion Northwest Kansas, 135, 136; 
earlier than milo and kafir, 265; 
feeding value vs. corn, 278; for the 
silo, 269, 296: growing season re- 
quired in Oklahoma, 268; head 
Aveight, 183; in Wilson County, 
Kansas, 269; Xew Mexico figures, 
269: performance at experiment 
stations, 265-268; planting and 



306 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



stands, 185; promising sorghum for 
dry farmer, 263, 269; recent im- 
portation, 262; seed selection, 
handling and testing for germina- 
tion, 242-246, 259; should be hogged 
down, 270; should be planted 15 
days later than kafir, 191; so- 
called is white durra, 253, 255; 
thorough trial to be commended, 
265; where to grow feterita. kafir 
and milo, 147, 149, 150; yields vs. 
kafir and milo, 267, 268. 

Fields, endorses kafir for Oklahoma, 
83, 84; on bin ventilator for sor- 
ghums, 212. 213; on Oklahoma sor- 
ghum areas, 143; recommendation 
on corn for Oklahoma, 83, 84; safe 
farming system for Kansas, Okla- 
homa and Texas, 143, 144; score 
card for kafir, 240. 

Flora on Kansas' precipitation, 128- 
133. 

Forage, crop should be planted sep- 
arately, 181; harvesting, 213-220; 
keeping quality, 279; planting, 191- 
193; value of sorghums vs. corn, 
279; yields, 92, 93. 

Freed sorghum, origin of, 53. 

Frost map of Kansas, average fall 
date, 126; earliest fall date, 124; 
average spring date, 122; latest 
spring date, 120. 

Furrow opener, advantages of, 178. 

Garden, and small fruits — available 
water supply for, 44; drill used for 
planting kafir, 188; need for, 32; 
proper handling, 33. 

Garden City. Kansas, station kafir 
and milo forage yields, 93. 

Goose-neck and varying height ob- 
jectionable. 257. 

Grades for kafir and milo, 304. 

Grain, crop should be planted sep- 
arately, 181; farming vs. live stock 
farming, 26; harvesting devices, 
208, 209; harvesting methods. 206- 
209: of sorghums equal to corn in 
feeding value, 278. 279; percentage 
to total crop. 260; smut of sor- 
ghums. 271, 272; sorghums as val- 
uable as corn, 207; sorghums fed 
to live stock most profitable, 274. 

Green nianuring value of sorghums, 
221. 

Grinding mills for heads, 291. 

Growers enthusiastic over kafir. 251. 

Growing season, and precipitation for 
sorghum belt, 145 — map, 146; map 
for Kansas. 118; number of days 
in sorghum belt, 119. 

Handling sorghum fields for other 
crops, 152. 

Hard on land idea of sorghums, 151. 

Harrow early for sorghums, 200. 

Hartenbower, on size and shape of 
sorghum heads, 241. 

Harvesting, devices, 208. 209: grain 
methods, 206-209; forage methods, 
213-220. 

Hay varieties rich in protein. 280-283. 

Hays. Kansas, station, methods pre- 
paring seed bed for sorghums, 169; 
proves value late cultivation sor- 
ghums, 204; proves value of silo 



in saving short feed crop. 205; rain- 
fall, 266; test wintering heef breed- 
ing cows, 300-302. 

Head, grinding mills, 291; meal of 
sorghums, 290. 291. 

Heads, should he carefully stacked. 
209. 210; smut of, 271. 272; type 
affects yield. 230-233; type and crop 
assurance closely related, 253; con- 
clusions on type, 251. 

Heating, can be lessened. 211; dan- 
gerous to germination, 244. 

Helder, on feterita at Hays. Kansas, 
station, 265, 266; on preparation of 
sod for sorghums, 174; on seed bed 
preparation for sorghums, 169. 

High-yielding head type described, 
238, 239. 

Hogs and cattle, eventually fatten. 27. 

Home-grown seed, carefully selected 
best. 233, 261. 

Home-made implement for earlv cul- 
tivation, 201. 

Horse power, need of ample, 28. 

Horses, kafir for, 289; silage for, 302. 

Horton on where to grow kafir, milo 
and feterita. 147-150. 

Humus preservation important, 169. 

Implements, and methods for sum- 
mer fallow, 167; home-made for 
early cultivation of sorghums, 201. 

Importance, of careful handling of 
seed, 245, 261, 262; of parent plant 
characteristics in seed selection, 231, 

Importation of seed, 249, 250, 261. 

Individual grower responsible for poor 
crops. 86. 

Iowa kafir and milo. 85. 

Jardine. on crop rotations for Kan- 
sas. 156, 157; on maturity of kafirs, 
233; on summer fallow, 167. 

Johnson, on soil-blowing prevention, 
169-172. 

Kafir, acreage in Butler County, Kan- 
sas, increasing. corn decreasing, 
112; acreage map of Kansas. 100; 
acre value vs. milo, 104; and cane 
forage, 280; harvesting, 213-220; 
and cane silage, 214; and cane sil- 
age vs. corn. 295, 296 — for milk 
cows, 297. 298; and milo acreage 
and value vs. corn, 104. 105. 107- 
111; and milo grades, 304; and 
skim milk for calves. 290; ant, 
273; area as determined by pre- 
cipitation. 121; areas located by 
Cottrell. 127; author's observations 
regarding growing. 226. 227; author 
long-time grower, 225; benefits 
land. 154; black-hulled most gen- 
erally grown. 60; can be made to 
mature early, 223; cane and corn 
silage for wintering beef calves. 
298-300: causes for disappointing 
yields. 230-233; classified, 51; cost 
of introduction into U. S.. 51; early 
maturity developed by grower. 237; 
established crop Eastern Oklahoma, 
122; experience of Wilson County, 
Kansas, farmer. 133; export de- 
mand, 304; feeding and market 
value lessened by carelessness. 232; 
feeding value vs. corn. 81, 82, 278; 



INDEX 



307 



Fields' cndorpement for Oklahoma, 
83, 84; fodder silage, 29*;, 297; for 
horses, 289; forage and grain yields 
vs. cane, corn and niilo. t'2, 93; 
good substitute for corn, 221; grain 
and forage yields vs. mllo and 
feterita, 268; growers enthusiastic, 
2.51; head meal, 291; head of today 
not that introduced. 226; head type 
affects yield, 230-233; head type 
conclusions, 251 ; head weight, 183, 
184; in Colorado, 73-75; Iowa fig- 
ures, 85; Kansas acreage increased 
thirty times in twenty year.'*, 102; 
Kansas area eastern two-thirds, 
122, 123; Kansas growing observa- 
tions, 226, 227; Kansas growers' 
yields, 228, 229; Kansas yields and 
values vs. corn, 101; largest yield 
record, 67; later maturing than 
milos, 60; made crop as result of 
late cultivation. 204; Missouri fig- 
ures, 69; Nebraska figures, 70-72; 
Xew Mexico figures, 269; not dam- 
aging to soil, 153; number seeds in 
pound, 183 — in quart, 184; Okla- 
homa figures, 79-85, 268; Okla- 
homa growers' yields, 229, 230; Ok- 
lahoma growing season require- 
ment, 268; Oklahoma's surest crop, 
222; Oklahoma yields vs. corn, 80- 
83; Panhandle figures, 77; pays 
rent in Oklahoma, 85; planting 
dates and yields, 190; planting for 
forage, 191-193; planting in rows, 
192, 193; planting rate, 184, 186, 
188; performance of seed from 
Africa, 247; removes same amount 
plant food froin soil as corn. 152; 
score card, 239, 240; .«eed bed 
should be worked early, 223; seed 
need not run-out, 233; seed selec- 
tion, handling and testing for 
germination, 223, 232, 233, 242-246; 
should receive as much attention 
as corn. 100; silage for wintering 
beef breeding cows. 300-302; silage 
yields, 92, 128; stalk conformation 
important, 241; points favorable to 
growing in Kansas, 90; typical 
high-yielding heads, 237-239; typi- 
cal low-yielding heads. 234. 235; 
value of ability to wait for rain, 
87; varieties and uses named, 51, 
160. 161; where to grow, 147-150; 
yields double corn in poor corn year, 
227; yields to be expected in Kan- 
sas, 227-229; yields vs. corn and 
milo, 81, 88-91. 
Kansas, adapted sorghums and areas, 
135; altitude map, 114 ; average acre 
kafir yield. 1910 cen.sus, 229; big 
sorghum-growing county, Butler, 
111; cane acreage map, 108; corn 
area map. 138; corn yields and 
values, 97; crop rotations, 156; 
farmers should depend more on 
sorghums, 222, 223; feed crops for 
different sections, 223: forced to 
place dependence in sorghums, 114; 
frost map, average fall date differ- 
ent sections, 126 — earliest fall date, 
124 — average spring date, 122 — 
latest spring date, 120; grain sor- 
ghums and corn yields, 95; grow- 
ing season map, 118; kafir growers 



select seed in field, 228. 229; milo 
acreage map, 102; milo acreage 
1913 largest in state's history, 103; 
milo area western third. 123; milo 
yields and values, 103, 163-165; 
needs better corn-growing methods, 
91; precipitation, by S. D. Flora, 
128-133; precipitation maps, 116, 
128, 130, 132; rainfall April to Sep- 
tember, 128, 195; safe farming sys- 
tem, 143, 144; sorghum area map, 
134; sorghum figures, 85, 86; sor- 
ghums value can be greatly in- 
creased, 87. 

Kaoliangs, new grain sorghum, 270. 

Keeping quality of forages. 279. 

Keyser, on milo and kafir for Eastern 
Colorado, 75. 

Ladd's nutrient developinent table, 
215. 

Laxative feeds, 2S6. 

Leidigh, explains kafir and corn 
yields at Manhattan station, 89- 
91; on best crops to follow sor- 
ghums. 155; on cane varieties, 
159, 160; on maturity of kafir, 233. 

Linseed meal, in ration for beef 
breeding cows, 301, 302. 

Lister, not a substitute for plow, 176; 
planting should be in clean, mel- 
low ground. 175. 

I>isting, advantages of contour, 178; 
compared with surface planting, 
175; in fall advantageous, 173; in- 
jurious on hilly lands, 177; objec- 
tions to, 177; valuable for "U'estern 
Kansas. 168. 175. 

Live stock, all kinds needed, 27: and 
sorghums basis of success, 2, 21, 46; 
farming vs. grain farming, 26. 

Machinery, for planting, 186, 187; 
need of adapted. 28. 

Manhattan. Kansas, station, kafir and 
corn yields, 88-91; kafir out-yields 
corn, 88; recommendation of kafir 
and cane silage, 295, 296; silage 
yields corn, kafir and cane, 92; 
successive kafir cropping. 153; 
yields kafir forage and grain vs. 
cane, corn and milo, 92, 93; tests 
on kafir and cane vs. corn silage 
for milk cows. 297, 298; tests win- 
tering beef calves on silage. 298-300. 

Manure, value of in preventing soil- 
blowing. 169. 

Market, and feeding value kafir les- 
sened by carelessness, 232; seed 
possibilities, 250; demand for sor- 
ghums increasing, 303; grain sor- 
ghums fed live stock most profita- 
ble, 274. 

Marketing grain sorghums. 303, 304. 

Matured seed, importance of plant- 
ing. 231. 

Maturity, early developed by kafir 
grower, 237; late due to lack of 
selection early heads. 232. 

McKee, on handling Northwest Kan- 
sas soil, 166. 

Methods, and implements for sum- 
mer fallow, 167; for different areas, 
117, nS: of preventing soil-blow- 
ing, 169-171; of feeding unprofita- 
ble, 274. 



308 



sorghums: sure money crops 



Milk cow, poorest fed of all farm 
stock, 285; rations, 284-286. 

Miller, on the dependability of sor- 
ghums, 222, 223; recommends feed 
crops for different sections of Kan- 
sas, 223. 

Mills for grinding heads, 291. 

Milo, acreage map for Kansas. 102; 
acreage of 1913 largest in Kansas 
history, 103; acre value less than 
kafir, 104; and kafir acreages and 
values vs. corn, 103-105, 107; and 
kafir acreage in Butler County, 
Kansas, increasing, corn decreasing, 
112; and kafir grades, 304; and 
kafir forage yields, 93; and kafir 
in Iowa, 85; and kafir, one acre to 
nine of corn, 104; and kafir Pan- 
handle figures, 77; and kafir should 
receive as much attention as corn, 
100; area as determined by precipi- 
tation, 121; area map of U. S., 106; 
area of Kansas, western third, 
123; as catch crop in Southeast 
Kansas, 145; being improved, 123; 
better adapted to Western Kansas 
than kafir, 123; classified, 53; 
earlier than kafirr, 59, 61; export 
demand, 304; feeding value vs. 
corn, 278; for silage, 296; for Okla- 
homa, 83; forage value differently 
estimated, 124; goose-neck and 
varying height objectionable, 257; 
grain and forage yields vs. kafir 
and feterita, 267, 268; head type, 
253, 255; head weight, 183; im- 
provement by Fed. Dept. of Agr., 
257; in Thomas County, Kansas, 
124, 125; New Mexico figures, 269; 
Oklahoma growing season require- 
ment, 268; planting dates and 
yields, 190; planting rate, 185, 186; 
seed bed preparation of Western 
Kansas farmers, 172; seed selection, 
handling and testing for germina- 
tion, 242-246,. 256, 257; should be 
planted 15 days later than kafir, 
191; typical dwarf heads, 148; va- 
rieties, 161, 162; where to grow, 
147-150; yields of Kansas growers, 
163-165; yields vs. cane, kafir, 
Jerusalem corn and corn, 93, 95. 

Missouri, cane and kafir figures, 69. 

Mixed seed should not be planted, 
231, 245. 

Moisture, deficiency of characterizes 
sorghum belt, 8; evaporation from 
soil, 11; extent to which can be 
stored, 12; should govern planting 
rate, 181; use of by different 
plants, 15. 

Mower, use of in forage harvest- 
ing, 217. 

Names used for sorghums, 54. 

Nebraska cane and kafir figures, 
70-72. 

Nebraska station on value of kafir, 
cane and milo. 72, -73. 

New grain sorghum, kaoliangs, 270. 

Number of kafir seeds in pound, 183 — 
in quart, 184. 

Nutrient development in sorghums, 
214, 215. 

Nutrients reouired for various ani- 
mals, 277, 278. 



Oat hay, value of, 37. 

Objections to listing, 177. 

Object of cultivation, 165. 

Oklahoma, adaptability of milo to, 
83; comparative kafir, corn and 
milo yields, 80, 81; corn figures. 
79; crop rotation, 157; Fields' en- 
dorsement of kafir for, 83, 84; 
kafir established crop in eastern 
part, 122; kafir figures, 79; milo- 
growing section, 124; precipitation 
map divided into thirds, 140; rain- 
fall, central and western parts, 
198, 199; recommendation on corn 
for, 83, 84; safe farming system, 
143, 144; should plant early, 197- 
199; sorghunxs, 79; sorghum areas, 
141-143. 

Oklahoina station, compares feeding 
value kafir and corn, 81; on crop 
rotations for Oklahoma, 157; on 
feterita, 268. 

Osage County, Kansas, results with 
African kafir seed, 247, 248. 

Palatability and succulence neces- 
sary, 286. 

Panhandle kafir and milo figures, 77. 

Parent plant characteristics impor- 
tant in seed selection, 231. 

Pasture, sorghums for, 292, 293. 

Pasturing green sorghum stalks, 206. 

Percentage of grain to total crop, 260. 

Plant, early to utilize early rainfall, 
177, 193-199; milo and feterita later 
than kafir, 191; one crop for grain, 
another for forage, 181; only fully 
matured seed, 231. 

Plant food removed by kafir same 
as by corn, 152. 

Planting, advice of Cottrell, 189; and 
stands of feterita, 185; cane and 
kafir for forage, 191 — in rows, 192, 
193; date for sorghums,, 178, 179; 
dates and yields of sorghums in 
Texas, 190; late, due to low vitality 
of seed, 232; machinery, 186, 187 
methods affect yield, 230; prevail- 
ing rate too thick, 179, 184, 221 
rate for kafir, 186 — for milo, 185 
186; rate governed by seed quality 
190; rate should be governed by 
moisture, 181; results measured by 
preparation of field, 175; thin, sur- 
est method, 190. 

Plow heavy soils deep, 165. 

Plowing, and surface planting best 
east of 96th meridian, 177; essen- 
tial, 176. 

Poor crops, grower largely responsi- 
ble for, 86. 

Poor forage, due to poor handling, 220 

Possibilities in seed marketing, 250. 

Poultry, profitable in sorghum belt, 
43; sorghums for feeding, 303. 

Precipitation, and growing season for 
sorghum belt, 145 — map. 146; map 
of Oklahoma, 140; maps of Kan- 
sas, 116, 128, 130, 132; no need of 
failure where 15 inches, 8; of Kan- 
sas, 128-133; of sorghum belt gen- 
erally, 196; past records should gov- 
ern farmer's operations, 115; six- 
tenths of world's surface has 20 
inches or less, 9; table for Kan- 



INDEX 



309 



sas, 195, 197; will not increase 

permanently, 19. 
Preparation of seed bed for sorghums, 

165, 169, 174. 
Prevention methods for soil-blowing, 

169-171. 
Protein, for milk cow, 284-286; grains 

and hays, 280-283. 
Prussic acid poisoning, 293, 291. 

Quality of seed governs planting 
rate, 190. 

Rainfall, and crop production, 13; at 
Amarillo, Texas, 199, 200; at 
Goodwell, Okla., 268; at Hays, 
Kansas. 266; at Tucumcari, N. M., 
269; climate and soil, 5; early util- 
ization, 193-199; greatest April to 
July, 196; in Central and Western 
Oklahoma, 198. 199; in East India, 
249; map of Kansas, 128; of sor- 
ghum belt generally, 196; six-tenths 
of world's surface has 20 inches or 
less, 9; table for Kansas, 195, 197. 

Rate of planting should be governed 
by prevailing conditions, 181. 

Rations defined, 275; for milk cow, 
284-286. 

Relation of crop assurance and head 
type, 253. 

Required nutrients for various ani- 
mals. 277, 278. 

Rotations, for Kansas, 156; for Okla- 
homa. 157; necessary for sorghum- 
growing farms, 155. 

Row-planting of sorghums for forage, 
192. 193. 

Safe farming system, 143, 144. 

Score card for kafir heads, 239, 240. 

Seed, acclimatization important, 139, 
162, 163, 233, 261; care important, 
261, 262; for planting should be 
fully matured, 231; performance of 
African. 247; germination endan- 
gered by heating. 244; head selec- 
tion important. 230-233; importa- 
tion. 249, 250, 261; marketing pos- 
sibilities, 250; mixtfure no longer 
rightly called kafir. 232; need not 
run-out, 233; of low vitality re- 
sponsible for late planting, 232; 
plat valuable. 247; quality gov- 
erns rate of planting, 190; results 
of planting low-yielding and mixed 
type, 232; selection, handling and 
testing for germination. 242-246; 
selection in field by Kansas grow- 
ers, 228, 229; selection precautions, 
233; should not be taken from bin. 
231; vitality dependent upon parent 
plant characteristics, 231. 

Seed bed. preparation for sorghums, 
165, 169. 174; preparation methods 
for Western Kansas, 166, 167. 

Sheep, grain sorghums for, 289. 

Silage, can be produced even in ad- 
verse years, 93; feterita for, 296; 
for horses. 302; kafir and cane vs. 
corn, 295-298; milo for. 296; supple- 
mental summer feed. 293; vs. corn 
stover and shelled corn for winter- 
ing beef calves, 298-300; vs. fodder 
and grain and stover for wintering 



beef breeding cows, 300-302; yields, 

kafir, cane and corn, 92. 
Silo, increases value short crops, 205; 

pit adapted to sorghum belt, 32; 

sorghum belt farmers need for, 

32; valuable in preserving forage, 

214. 
Silo filling cost, 303. 
Siloing, corn, kafir or cane fodder, 

296, 297; destroys effect of prus- 
sic acid, 294. 
Size and shape of sorghum heads, 241. 
Skim milk and kafir for calves, 290. 
Soil blowing, controlled, 167, 168; 

district co-operative practice, 171; 

prevention methods. 169-171. 
Soiling, sorghums for, 292, 293. 
Soils, heavy should be plowed deep, 

165; rainfall and climate. 5. 

Sorghum belt, boundaries, 3; charac- 
terized by deficiency of moisture, 
8; development of and opportunity 
in, 17; farmers should not bo criti- 
.cised, 23; farmers' need for silo, 
32; lands will pay, 23; must afford 
homes for thousands, 18; precipita- 
tion and growing season, 145 — map. 
146; suggestions boiled down, 46; 
why so named. 1. 

Sorghum-growing farms need rota- 
tion, 155. 

Sorghums, and chinch bugs, 271; and 
corn, comparison unfair, 95, 96; and 
corn-growing methods similar, 222; 
and corn ratio inconsistent in West- 
ern Kansas, 108; and corn values in 
Kansas, 110, 111; and live stock 
basis of success, 2, 21, 46, 87; acre- 
age greater than corn in 10 Kansas 
counties, 109, 110; area each year 
extended, 68; area map for Kansas, 
134; area map for Oklahoma, 142; 
areas located by Cottrell. 127; areas 
of adaptation, 121, 135-137, 141, 
143; as green manure, 221; best 
followed by certain crops, 155; bet- 
ter growing methods valuable, 64; 
bin ventilator for, 212; blight is 
midge. 271; compared with corn 
57, 75; cross-fertilization and 
methods of control, 63; cultivation 
poor, 200; dependability of for Kan- 
sas. 222. 223; dependence forced 
upon Kansas, 114: divisions of, 51, 
dry weather-resistance of, 58, 177; 
early maturity and dwarfness af- 
fect yield, 60-62; early maturity of. 
58; early planted utilize rainfall, 
194, 195; establish farmers. 19; ex- 
port demand for, 304; first figures 
recorded for Kansas, 86; for forage, 
191 — in rows, 192, 193; for mixed 
feeds, 304; for pasture and soiling, 
292, 293; for poultry feeding. 303; 
for sheep, 289; grain and forage 
values of, 278. 279; grain as valua- 
ble as corn, 207; green stalks for 
pasture, 206; grown more in south 
than north half of Kansas. 123; 
habits of growth. 55; hard on land. 
151 : have never completely failed 
in Kansas, 86. 87: have not had fair 
chance, 200; head and grain smut. 
271. 272; head meal of. 290. 291; 
in Butler County. Kansas, 111, 112; 



310 



SORGHUMS: SURE MONEY CROPS 



in New Mexico, 269; introduction 
of into U. S., 2, 49; Kansas figures, 
85-114; marketing of, 303, 304; 
money crops, 33; most certain pro- 
ducers, 25; names used, 54; need of 
pure varieties, 63; needed to insure 
feed crops in Kansas, 105; not un- 
derstood, 65, 225; nutrients at dif- 
ferent stages of growtii, 214, 215; 
Olclahoma figures, 79-85, 268; Old 
World history of, 47; pasture condi- 
tioner for swine, 293; planted on 
sod, 174; planting dates, 178, 179; 
planting rate, 179-184; roughage of 
for maintenance horse ration, 290; 
should be harvested when ripe, 207; 
should be pastured cautiously, 292; 
should have early start, 177; should 
not be allowed to heat, 211; should 
receive as much attention as corn, 
100; six-tenths acre of roughage for 
each farm animal in Kansas, 104, 
105; storing of heads, 209, 210; sub- 
sequent handling of fields in which 
grown, 152; Texas figures, 76, 77; 
threshing, 210, 211; value can be 
greatly increased, 87; wagon-box 
header for, 208; yields vary, 67. 

Southeast Kansas catch crops, 145. 

Soy beans on land too poor for 
corn, 282. 

Spanish peanuts, adaptability and 
usefulness, 283. 

Stalk conformation important, 241. 

Stillwater, Oklahoma, station figures 
on feeding value kafir and corn, 
81, 82. 

Storing of moisture, 12. 

Succulence and palatability neces- 
sary, 286. 

Suckering and branching disadvant- 
ages, 256, 259, 268. 

Summer fallow implements and 
methods. 167, 170, 171. 

Surface planting, and plowing east of 
96th meridian best, 177; compared 
with listing, 175. 

Sweet clover, feeding value near 
equal alfalfa, 282. 

Sweet sorghum varieties and uses, 53. 

Swine feeding combinations, 287-289. 

Texas, milo-growing section, 124; 
planting dates and yields, 190; safe 
farming system, 143, 144. 

Thin planting surest, 190. 

Thomas County, Kansas, milo-grow- 
ing experience, 124, 125. 

Thompson on adapted sorghums and 
areas, 135, 136. 



Thought, best should be heeded, 21. 
Threshing grain sorghums, 210, 211. 
Tribune, Kansas, station, corn, kafir, 
cane and milo yields, 93. 

Value of grain and forage of sor- 
ghums vs. corn, 278, 279. 

Value, of score card for kafir heads, 
239, 240; of seed plat, 247; of silo 
in saving short feed crops, 205. 

Varieties, of cane, 158-160; of kafir, 
160, 161; of milo, 161, 162. 

Variety of feeds essential, 291. 

Varying height and goose-neck objec- 
tionable, 257. 

Ventilator for binned sorghums, 212. 

Vigorous seed can be planted earliest, 
179. 

Vitality of seed dependent upon par- 
ent plant characteristics, 231. 

Wasteful grain harvesting, 206. 

Water requirements of crops, 15. 

Webster on sorghums and silo, 128. 

Weight of feterita, kafir and milo 
heads, 183. 

Western Kansas, listing valuable for, 
168; milo yields, 163-165; seed bed 
preparation methods, 166, 167, 172 

Wheat, on sane basis essential, 34 
preparation of land for winter. 171 
successful sorghum belt methods of 
growing, 35. 

White durra wrongly called feterita, 
253, 255. 

Widstoe, on possibilities 15 inches 
precipitation, 8; places responsibil- 
ity of drouth with man, 10. 

Wilson County, Kansas, kafir ex- 
perience, 133. 

Wilson, on Freed sorghum or cane, 93. 

Wintering beef breeding cows on sil- 
age, 300-302 — beef calves, 298-300. 

Wheeler, on late cultivation of kafir 
at Hays, Kansas, station, 204. 205; 
on prussic acid poisoning, 293, 294. 

Work, year around needed, 26. 

Yielding, generally prevailing head 
tvpe low, 231; heads, tvpical high, 
237-239; heads, typical low, 234, 
235; high, type first grown in Kan- 
sas, 237. 

Yields, and values of grain sorghums, 
65-114; average kafir for Kansas 
1910 census, 229; causes of disap- 
pointing kafir, 230-233; of kafir to 
be expected in Kansas, 227-229; of 
Kansas kafir growers, 228-229; of 
Oklahoma kafir growers, 229-230. 




m^^^ ^^ CONGRESS 



00D0^3SSfl7A 



iiiij 1 



